Did Francis Formally Profess Heresy? [Catholic Caucus]

Canada Free Press ^ | March 6, 2017 | David Martin

[ebb tide]

Formal heresy is when a baptized member of the Church, having sufficient knowledge and having given sufficient reflection, obstinately denies an infallible article of faith. Canon law defines formal heresy as “the obstinate denial or obstinate doubt after the reception of baptism of some truth which is to be believed by divine and Catholic faith.” (1983 Canon 751) Canonical tradition recognizes that “a given pope can fall into personal heresy and that he might even promote such heresy publicly.”

An example of formal heresy would be the adamant denial of the historicity of the Resurrection or the Virgin Birth, or the assertion that Catholic priests are not vested with the power to forgive sins, as was alleged by Martin Luther.

Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetita appears to contain such heresy. Paragraph 297 states: “No one can be condemned forever, because that is not the logic of the Gospel! Here I am not speaking only of the divorced and remarried, but of everyone, in whatever situation they find themselves.”

According to Francis, unrepentant sinners of any kind, be they rapists, thieves, pedophiles, killers, abortionists, thugs, Mafia members, or apostates, will never be condemned eternally to the fires of hell.

This clearly contradicts the Church’s dogmatic teaching on divine justice. Benedict XII declared in his Dogmatic Constitution Benedictus Deus: “The souls of those who die in a personal grievous sin descend immediately into hell, where they will be tormented by the pains of hell.” Dz 531. Cf. Dz 429, 464, 693, 835.

Unfortunately, these torments are eternal. The Fourth Lateran Council (1215) teaches that “the reprobate” will receive “perpetual punishment with the devil.” Dz 429. Cf. Dz 40, 835, 840. The Athanasian Creed likewise teaches that “they that have done good shall go into life everlasting, and they that have done evil into everlasting fire.” Holy Writ makes it clear that the torments of the dammed “shall ascend up forever and ever.” (Apoc. 14:11)

If Francis had asserted his denial in the context of one of his “plane ride” interviews or at the local cafe, it could perhaps be argued that the heresy was material, and not formal, but given the fact that he said this in the context of an authoritative papal document, and very emphatically at that—after serious reflection and full consent—it appears to leave no question as to the nature of the heresy.

Francis’ rationale for denying eternal punishment is that it is “not the logic of the Gospel.” Let us turn then to the Gospel to see the verdict which Christ himself will declare to the negligent upon His Second Coming in Majesty: “Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry, and you gave me not to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave me not to drink… And these shall go into everlasting punishment.” (Matthew 25:41,42,46)

Again the Gospel says: “If thy hand, or thy foot scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee to go into life maimed or lame, than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire.” (Matthew 18:8)

There has been much controversy in recent months over the four cardinals in request of clarification of Francis’ position on granting Communion to those living in adultery, but maybe they should seek clarification as to whether or not Pope Francis really denies the reality of eternal punishment. Because as it reads, his statement in Amoris Laetita 297 constitutes a radical break from what the popes and saints of the past 2000 years have taught concerning punishment and hell.

[nickcarraway]

Everything has been done in a vague, backhanded way, so probably nothing is formal.

[ebb tide]

This is formal:

247. We hold the Jewish people in special regard because their covenant with God has never been revoked, for “the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable” (Rom 11:29). The Church, which shares with Jews an important part of the sacred Scriptures, looks upon the people of the covenant and their faith as one of the sacred roots of her own Christian identity (cf. Rom 11:16-18). As Christians, we cannot consider Judaism as a foreign religion; nor do we include the Jews among those called to turn from idols and to serve the true God (cf. 1 Thes 1:9). With them, we believe in the one God who acts in history, and with them we accept his revealed word.

Evangelii Gaudium

[Fai Mao]

Is not part of the definition that the belief must be within the Roman Catholic Church?

Or are you still a heretic but are left alone as long as you don’t claim to be a Catholic?

[ebb tide]

Please respect catholic caucus threads.

[Arthur McGowan]

A PROPER definition would begin: “Formal heresy is WHERE...”

[tomsbartoo]

In no way am I a defender of Pope Francis, but I’m not convinced that the pope meant what this writer seems to believe. The writer is suggesting that Pope Francis is now advocating Universalism. If that is true, it’s the first and only time he’s publicly taken that position. There are numerous instances where Pope John Paul II appeared to subscribe to this teaching, but I’m not convinced that Francis is there yet.

A more likely interpretation of that section is that when pope Francis said “forever”, he was likely using the term in a “this world” sense, rather than eternally. This understanding is even more compelling when he references the “logic of the Gospel”. The Gospel, of course, has never been used to justify Universalism, while it is replete with instances where sinners are assured that all sins may be forgiven.

That being said, unless Pope Francis is willing to recant what he has set forth in Amoris Laetitia with respect to Communion for the divorced/remarried as requested in the Dubia, it would appear that there is sufficient evidence to warrant a finding of formal heresy.