The above is from the complementary video to the Letter Appeal of the 45 with some of the signatories speaking out.
Some of 45 signatories feeling the heat
over letter urging clarification of AL
September 29, 2016 (LifeSiteNews) — Some of the scholars who sent an appeal to the 218 Cardinals and patriarchs are under fire for urging them to appeal to the pope for corrective measures to clarify “a number of statements that can be understood in a sense that is contrary to Catholic faith and morals” in
Amoris Laetitia.
A few weeks ago, a letter from Pope Francis surfaced that expressed the Holy Father’s support to the bishops of the Buenos Aires, Argentina, pastoral region that read: “No other interpretation” of Amoris Laetitia is valid, consequently allowing the distribution of Holy Communion to divorced/remarried (Catholics) in some cases — certainly one of the hot topics in question.
Many of the signatories of the scholarly appeal remain anonymous to protect their reputation and jobs. Yet some are suffering pressure for their attempt to stay faithful to Church teaching and tradition.
LifeSiteNews has gathered information – confirmed by several of the signatories, including the spokesperson, Dr. Joseph Shaw – that one signatory, who is well known internationally, has lost his position as director of academic affairs at a Pontifical university.
Another was threatened by his bishop that his academic sabbatical would be canceled, but he has found another bishop willing to allow him to begin the process of incardination in his diocese.
Yet another has been forbidden to speak publicly about Amoris Laetitia, and another has been told to rescind his signature.
And a Cardinal put pressure on one of the signatories to withdraw his name.
Two clear conclusions can be drawn:
First, many of the suffering parties are under pressure not by remote institutions but by high-ranking individuals in the hierarchy. Second, the scholars’ document has opened the discussion to a wider public and has given rise to similar demands by individuals and groups.
In an earlier interview regarding the intention of the appeal, Shaw explained: “It is our hope that by seeking from our Holy Father a definitive repudiation of these errors we can help to allay the confusion already brought about by Amoris Laetitia among pastors and the lay faithful, for that confusion can be dispelled effectively only by an unambiguous affirmation of authentic Catholic teaching by the Successor of Peter.”
Regarding the persecution of the signatories, Shaw told LifeSiteNews on September 27: “It is distressing to hear of people, particularly clergy, suffering because they have signed this letter. It was, after all, a private letter to prelates expressing, without rancor or accusations, a request for clarification about questions the objective theological difficulties of which are acknowledged right across the spectrum of opinion. It is particularly disappointing to see Catholics in positions of authority who regard themselves as supporters of the Holy Father, not simply ignoring his repeated calls for parrhesia — fearless and candid discussion — but actively seeking to suppress it.”
Amid all this, of course, is that risible 'soundbite' from the smarmy Archbishop of Vienna, bewailing "I do not understand why there is so much resistance to Pope Francis!" - At least he acknowledges there is 'so much resistance' to his master. As kathpress.at (news agency of the Austrian bishops' conference) reported it:
Vienna (kath.net/KAP) Cardinal Christoph Schönborn has expressed shock at the resistance from Church circles against Pope Francis: "It hurts me that he faces so much hostility - within the Church. What is this? He is the successor of Peter! He's the pope!" said the Archbishop of Vienna on Tuesday in his homily during the Medjugorje prayer of peace, "Message for you" in the cathedral.
"Many people in the world are grateful for the witness of Pope Francis. For his kindness and his love for the poor and the fallen. It is the gospel that he teaches us," said Schönborn. [The Popes before him taught the Gospel. Whereas Bergoglio is teaching his own selective account of the Gospel with his selective interpretations.]
To learn that the Pope is receiving "so much resistance" from his own ranks, was completely incomprehensible to him. It is important to pray for the Pope, he said. [Oh yes, that he may stop inflicting so much harm on the Church and stop trying to set up the church of Bergoglio in place of the Church!]
