Peter Seewald, a close friend of Pope Benedict XVI, criticized Pope Francis for his actions against the traditional Latin Mass and the legacy of his predecessor.
Seewald expressed that Francis has shown aversion to Westernized traditions and harshly restricted the celebration of the Latin Mass, leading to the purge of staff who supported Ratzinger’s course.
Francis “seems to have an aversion to the westernized traditions of the Catholic Church,” Seewald said. (Trending: Melania Trump Announces Big Change For 2024)
“As a South American and a Jesuit, he has erased much of what was precious and dear to Ratzinger.”
“Suffice it to recall the ban on the Tridentine Mass. Benedict had built a small bridge to a largely forgotten treasure island, which until then had only been accessible through difficult terrain.”
“It was a matter close to the German Pope’s heart and there was really no reason to tear down this bridge again. It was obviously a demonstration of the new power,” he said.
“The subsequent purge of staff completed the picture. Many people who supported Ratzinger’s course and Catholic doctrine were guillotined,” he added.
“What I find particularly shameful is that the Pope Emeritus was not even informed of this act but had to learn about it from the press. He was stabbed in the heart,” he wrote.
He also criticized Francis’ treatment of close colleagues and supporters of Pope Benedict, highlighting the removal of Archbishop Georg Gänswein and Bishop Joseph Strickland.
“It was an unprecedented event in the history of the Church that Archbishop Gänswein, the closest collaborator of a highly deserving Pope, the greatest theologian ever to sit on the See of Peter, was thrown out of the Vatican in disgrace,” Seewald said.
“He was not even given a word of pro forma thanks for his work.”
“Of course, the purge primarily concerned the man whose lineage Gänswein represents, Benedict XVI,” Seewald added.
“More recently, it was the American Bishop Strickland, Benedict’s friend and a critic of Bergoglio, who was removed from office on the pretext of financial misconduct, an obviously implausible reason.”
“And when a Ratzinger supporter like 75-year-old Cardinal Burke is deprived overnight of his home and salary without any explanation, it is difficult to recognize the Christian fraternity in all this,” he added.
Seewald also questioned the competence and loyalty of Víctor Manuel Fernández, appointed by Francis to head the Vatican’s doctrinal office.
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