This article is causing a stir. Nick Squires may be a Catholic, but his knowledge of the Vatican is so low that many people do not believe he is a Catholic.
First of all, in this article, Nick Squires, is clearly influenced by British politics in which the governments of Prime Ministers Boris Johnson, and Liz Truss were overthrown respectively. Prime Minister Liz Truss even ruled for only 49 days. They are overthrown under political pressure, such as a common practice of mass resignations of ministers, or requesting a vote of confidence. One cannot imagine a similar pressure to overthrow a Pope.
He also cited Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Raymond Burke, Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller in his arguments as “Vatican hardliners.” None of the people listed are "members of the Vatican".
We present the full interview with Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, in La Repubblica, which was misquoted in the The Telegraph article.
Your Excellency, has the death of Pope Benedict XVI affected the Church?
I think so because after the death of a figure of the size and depth of the Pope Emeritus, people began to re-read what he had written. This is an opportunity to be able to enrich the wisdom of the Church and to review what the Church has done and said. I think his passing from this world is also an invitation to deepen his teaching and his contribution to the Church.”
What, in particular, for the near future of the Church, Reverend?
First of all the authentic interpretation of Vatican Council II: he entered it as an expert and has a lot to offer. It is a question that is still very much alive in the Church. He then contributed greatly with three books about Jesus, an opportunity to draw closer and closer to God by deepening our personal and collective relationships.
On the day of the funeral, some people in the square shouted “Santo Subito” “Canonize now”: What do you think?
I believe that in the future this process will definitely begin. But I also think and, if I dare, I think that Pope Benedict would agree with me that these things will ripen in time. I have no doubt that Joseph Ratzinger is in heaven but it seems to me that the Church has her moment, her method of doing a normal process, taking her time to do case studies and also to see if there were any miracles attributed to his intervention. I think it's a little early for all of this.'
Do you think Pope Francis' pontificate will change from now on?
I cannot answer. Perhaps the possibility of a withdrawal would be more possible now that the Pope emeritus is gone, but this is clearly pure speculation as I don't know what Pope Francis thinks about that.
Looks like you'll be abdicating soon, doesn't it, Reverend?
No, in fact, I see that he has just reorganized the diocese of Rome: to me, he seems to be someone who is moving on. But I also saw the difficulty, the fact that he could not celebrate: all of these are elements of normal pastoral work that are indispensable. But of course, it is always he who decides whether he is strong enough to continue.
These days, Benedict's personal secretary, Georg Gänswein, is openly criticizing the Pope: what is his impression of values, methods and timing?
I confess that I have not read what he said, but I think that if we have any criticism of the Holy Father, we should not make it through the mass media but directly. to you personally. And I consider Archbishop Gänswein as a friend.
Do you think there is an ongoing battle in the Church between progressives and conservatives?
I don't like these terms very much but yes, there are tensions between progressives and conservatives. Maybe, it was always like that but now it seems much clearer to me. We see a number of German bishops moving towards the Synod, and I certainly cannot agree with this, it will be a source of tension. But there are also criticisms from the other side, which can also be exaggerated. Well, admittedly there are tensions.
And what is the best way to manage these stresses, Reverend?
It is always an art, but listening is very important: I believe that Pope Francis has taught us a lot.
We must give people a chance to express their thoughts, and at the same time we must try to lessen the bitterness we sometimes feel: it is hard to imagine that these are people of the Church, above all a communion of love. We may disagree, but we need to find a way to express our criticism fraternally, in a charitable way, and avoid this terrifying harshness.
Do you think that it was from the United States and precisely against this Pope that previously unimaginable criticisms came?
Criticism also comes from people who perhaps don't read everything the Pope has to say, or who just read articles in the press. Then there's the method and the counter-argument. It is true that the Catholic Church in the United States is one of the most loyal to the Pope of Rome and perhaps we have forgotten how to express confusion or ask for clarification.
But I can say that most American bishops certainly did not criticize it directly. There are some individual bishops who have said things that we are not used to hearing, but in general we always try to speak with respect and express our trust and brotherhood to Pope Francis. .
What are your priorities for the next few years? Is it the abortion problem?
It is certainly a matter of the right to life, then we try to better catechize the faithful about the Eucharist, but the poor and migrants are also at the center of our concerns, and returning to Mass after the pandemic.
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