I was prompted to write today after stumbling upon a twitter post that states: “Retweet if you think Pope Benedict XVI should be declared a Doctor of the Church.” That pretty much sums up where we are today.
For all the good that he did, for whatever faults he may have had, becoming a Doctor of the Church is not the product of an internet influence campaign. Or, if it become so these days, we are so far gone from any spirit of Catholicity that the mind reels at the unlikeliness of getting that spirit back. Neither is the question of which (if either)of any two persons is Pope subject to any internet influence campaign.
The gloating in some quarters over those who think that Pope Benedict XVI did not effectively resign the papal office as “sedevacantists”, or as facing a crisis of faith, or as being definitively proven wrong, betrays how little they understand of the Church, the papacy, and the duties of a Catholic. I don’t know some of the more famous internet gloaters personally, but it doesn’t speak well either for their intelligence or their honesty. One of two things happened in February 2013: Pope Benedict abdicated the papacy or he did not abdicate the papacy. That’s it. There can be at any time one pope, or none. Not two.
If he did abdicate, there is nothing in the death of Pope Benedict that changes it; if he did not, likewise, there is nothing in his death that changes that. Bergoglio, if he be not pope, does not inherit it with the passing of the pope. Nor does Bergoglio’s mere survival over his rival work to prove his claim like some trial by ordeal.
So, if the issue is not soluble, as a friend noted to me today, until a future date and/or event, do not ever abandon the Church. She is the ark of salvation, and will not fail. God loves us, and does not seek to mislead us. He has this. And Mary is on the job– she will crush the serpent’s head. And maybe cut people a break for being confused in a truly wretched time.
No matter what or when or how, the Church is the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. It is the only true Church, founded by Christ, and outside of which there is no salvation.
And this may be a good time to state again publicly what I have said many times, and that informs any mere statement of opinion or question I ever address or have addressed concerning “the two popes” question: I accept Unam Sanctam. I willingly submit to the true Roman Pontiff, even if it is Bergoglio. If instead the seat is temporarily vacant until further events, I willingly await God’s foreordained plan and trust in His providence. This doesn’t unsay any of my opinions or questions or beliefs– not at all. It just means that as a human being who can err on all kinds of things, I could be wrong on any particular belief that is not part of the deposit of faith guaranteed by the Church. That’s it. That’s the last this unimportant layman has to say on it, unless such an event or future date makes things clear.
Therefore, keep the Faith. Have Hope. Live in Charity. This has all been foreseen by an All-loving, All-powerful God.
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.
Saint Louis Catholic 
Malachi Martin who read the Third Secret had it right. The Church is merging with Communism to form a global religion and one world socialist government. The Synod process is a sham.—Archbishop Raymond Burke was appointed by JPII. In 2008, he was run out of town with the blessing of Benedict. Robert Carlson was sent in as his replacement. Obviously, his job was to prepare for the next step of reform. Rozanski was handed a binder with orders to “carry it out”.—Out of gratitude for his visit, John Paul II named the Cathedral as a basilica. It is a magnificent place of worship. Churches are now outdated and you can envision a “for sale sign” placed on the doors at 4431 Lindell.—“Christmas at DePaul” says it best. On Channel 9, the narrator states that “the church is transformed into the town center”. The Jewish Temple and the rabbi do not speak for the Almighty. Worship of God is no longer the focus.—America will be overthrown. Protestantism and capitalism have always been the enemy for the Jesuit. The deep state and deep Church are now one.—The Church of the people will now change morality. The appointment of a homosexual hierarchy to run the Church is more than obvious. The next domino appears to be abortion.—In the NYT of 12.29, Elizabeth Dias asks when life begins. She speaks for the people. The Argentinian says therein that life begins at conception. He follows with we “don’t know when personhood begins”.—-Events are moving quickly. The new parish geography will be announced on Pentecost (May) 2023. This is all about the Resurrection and the taking of fervor out into the marketplace. The goal is the transformation of society which I believe is totally about redistribution of wealth and the changing of morality instead of the preaching of the Gospel.
Spot-on 100% correct. Thank you.
As you say, “It’s all been foreseen by an All-loving, All-powerful God.” And He promises that “All things work together for good” for those who love Him and serve according to His purpose. We don’t have to know everything, just love God and keep His commandments! Thank you.