Josef Seifert, an Austrian-American philosopher and personal friend of
Pope John Paul II, has published an open letter to Cardinal Dean
Giovanni Battista Re urging a formal investigation into Archbishop Carlo
Viganò's accusation of heresy against Pope Francis before the next
conclave.
Seifert published his 11-page study in Italian, English and German.
He
bases his appeal on historical papal decrees of Pope Paul IV (†1559)
and decrees of St Pius V (†1572) who write that a pope who falls into
heresy automatically loses his office and that all his appointments and
official acts must be annulled.
Seifert identifies specific
apparent heresies of Pope Francis, such as the Abu Dhabi Declaration,
the Pachamama events and doctrinal ambiguities regarding marriage,
adultery, hell and salvation.
If Francis is found guilty of heresy or apostasy, then:
- His cardinal appointments would be invalid.
- His changes to the conclave rules could be declared null and void.
- His official documents must be removed from the Acta Apostolicae Sedis.
- The legitimacy of the next conclave would be jeopardised if disqualified cardinals participated.
Seifert
warns that failure to investigate these grave allegations could fatally
compromise the next papal election, since many of the current cardinal
electors were appointed by Francis and would be illegitimate if the
heresy were confirmed.
He urges Cardinal Re to act boldly,
comparing the situation to past crises such as the Arian heresy, and
suggests that even schism would be preferable to allowing the Church to
remain in error.
It is clear from the start that Re will not do anything because he is part of the system and the problem.
Picture: Josef Seifert © Gloria.tv, #newsQnnpwwskld