PopeWatch: Ad theologiam promovendam

Several people have asked me to explain to them the meaning of the latest motu proprio of pope Francis, “Ad theologiam promovendam”. But I can’t. I can’t make much sense out of this text. I could go for the easy way out and comment on it, instead of explaining it. Then I would find myself in the illustrious company of journalists and pundits. However, my vocation is not to frequent these circles and be taken seriously by them. I am but a priest, a foot soldier in the Lord’s trenches, so I must not comment but explain. Clarity is the only munition of the gospel of life. And this is exactly where I run into problems, for I myself have more questions about the teachings of the current magisterium than the people asking me for advice. It is an awkward situation, which has reached its paroxysm with this motu proprio. I can’t imagine it getting worse. Rather strangely, no Latin, only an Italian version has been published so far, but with a dictionary in hand I can figure out what is written there.

I am startled, right from the beginning. “Promoting theology in the future cannot be limited to abstractly re-proposing formulas and schemes of the past” – what is meant here: the promotion of theology, or theology itself? And whatever it is, is it going to be completed  by abstractly proposing new formulas and schemes? When reading further, this seems to be the case. Actually, there is nothing wrong with abstractions as such. They are instruments of objective thinking, which allow people to communicate and dialogue in a way that makes sense. Obviously, those abstractions must relate to reality itself. But anyway, the use of abstractions itself does not imply a disconnection from reality.

More so, when speaking about the divine revelation, which deals which realities that cannot be perceived by the senses or proven by the intellect, abstractions that are used must be conserved, sharpened and deepened with utter care. And teachers should be extremely reticent in inventing new abstract terms, lest the teachings of the Church disintegrate due to lack of precision. And it is exactly at this level that I am deeply disturbed by the neologisms of this pontificate, highly concentrated in this motu proprio, which sometimes are taken from ferociously anti-Christian ideological rhetoric. As priest, if I cannot clarify something to the faithful approaching me, I must ask clarification from my authorities.

I will limit myself to some new abstractions, the meaning of which is not clear. For starters, the “synodal Church”. What does this mean? And how can a conclusive meaning be given to this expression, while the Synod on synodality is still ongoing? Is this still an apostolic Church, allowing the faith of the apostles, passed down throughout the centuries, to bear fruit in the souls and actions of those who believe? And what is meant by the “outgoing” Church? Does it mean the faithful are called to act according to the gospel and be Christ’s witnesses and martyrs? (Those acquainted with tradition will know that these two terms are identical in classic Greek, the original language of the New Testament.)

As has happened more often, the writings of the pope suggest there is a contradiction between theory and practice, between hands that hold books and pens while “settling for a desk theology”, and hands that help the poor at the “frontiers” of society. Does such a suggestion do justice to anybody? Hasn’t saint Paul, both contemplative and active, not admired the diversity of vocations in the Church? On a more personal note, I have been knocked unconscious twice and my nose has been broken (only once), while exploring frontier regions where sheep find no fathers, who could talk to them about the eternal Father. But the presence of theological nerds with delicate hands behind desks – or veiled nuns behind bars – within the Church does not bother me in the least. On the contrary, I am grateful for them. Let them do the boring job, theirs is less appealing to me than the one I was called to do. I intensely love the same Church as they do, and we are united by the only cause that can indeed unite us: the search for Jesus Christ, the way, the truth and the life. We know we must be founded in vertical adoration and self-less prayer, passing through trials and triumphs, and be dedicated to please the Lord, who will return. And while walking in the same direction from widely different spheres of life, we have all become aware that the unmistakably hardest frontier to cross is the one keeping us locked up in our sins.

Go here to read the rest.  The Pope wishes to transform the Church into a Leftist pressure group.  Go here to read Ad theologiam promovendam.