Archibishop Viganò speaks at online conference seeking the truth about the “Two Popes”
Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò has released a speech given for an online conference that contains one of his most stark warnings about the current crisis in the Church. Following up on the conference he was not permitted to present at the Catholic Identity Conference in November, he offers further reflections on the great mystery that is the current pontificate. He explains that a great “abyss” exists between the actions of great popes such as Pope Pius XII and the current onslaught of novelty. He sums up that under Francis the august authority of the papal office: “has been perverted into arrogant authoritarianism and tyranny; the healthy sense of belonging to Holy Orders of clerics and Prelates has been corrupted into clericalism; the fixed immutability of revealed Truth, founded on the perfect immutability of God – and even of that truth naturally knowable through reason – has yielded to permanent revolution and chaos, to the provisionality of . . . speak pleasing things to us . . . and to the arbitrariness of the debatable. . . .”
Viganò notes that although many in and outside of the Church are scandalized by what Francis does, they do not know how to react or what to do. He keenly observes that the problem is that such people do not see Francis as the effect but rather as the cause. They think he is doing something unique rather than understanding that he is the product of the revolution of Vatican II. The Archbishop explains: “Because they disagree with him, but not with Vatican II; nor are they willing to recognize that it was precisely from that Council that the revolutionary process arose which permitted a person like Jorge Mario to enter the Society of Jesus, be ordained, become a Bishop, be created Cardinal, and finally to enter a Conclave and come out of it as ‘pope.’” Many in the Church refuse to admit that the revolutionary proposals of Francis are part of an entire revolutionary movement, one that has infiltrated the Church for decades and which works hand in glove with revolutionaries in the civil sphere. Yet, we need not get lost in abstract speculation about this fact. For Catholics the solution is simple. We cannot collaborate in the attempted (it will fail ultimately) dismembering of the Church. He states: “Our task must not be to engage in the abstract speculations of canonists, but to resist with all our strength – and with the help of God’s Grace – the explicitly destructive action of the Jesuit Argentine, refusing with courage and determination any collaboration” with his destructive agenda.
Yet, does this mean that Archbishop Viganò has become a “sedevacantist?” I have spoken and written in the past about the unhelpfullness of this term since it does not describe a unified set of beliefs. Yet, whatever that term means, I think that Viganò carefully chooses his words to avoid formally embracing this position. Yes, he puts forward speculations about possible irregularities that could call into question the legitimacy of the result of the 2013 conclave. He touches on the mysteries and rumors around Benedict XVI’s resignation as well as questions about the intentions at the conclave. Yet, in the end although the Archbishop states that Francis is a “false prophet,” he warns “we do not have the authority . . . to officially declare that Jorge Mario Bergoglio is not Pope.” Thus, the full implications of the Vatican II revolution are undeniably on display these past eleven years and we can clearly see these fruits are not Catholic but only the official hierarchy as such can declare a person to be a usurper. It is not a matter of private action or judgement, even of a single bishop. That leaves us at an “impasse” that makes any “human solution impossible.” All we can do is refuse our obedience to this destructive revolution. Thus, it would seem Archbishop Viganò does not embrace formal sedevacantism although he speculatively discusses some points on which some sedevacantists would agree. He is clear that we must resist the destructive changes being foisted upon the Church but not usurp the authority of the hierarchy to make the juridical determiantions.
It is unclear to what extent some of Archbishop Viganò’s prior writings on this topic have evolved. For example does he still hold to the two concurrent entity theory explained by Bishop Bernard Tissier de Mallerais (i.e. that the post-Counciliar popes are at the same time holding the office of head of the Catholic Church and the Counciliar Church). Perhaps further interventions of the Archbishop will clarify such questions.
In any event we reproduce below the full text of his reflections for consideration (not necessarily complete recommendation) since as he suggests himself the full meaning of what is happening may elude us speculatively. As we have always said such delicate topics can be addressed more appropriately by a legitimate member of the hierarchy. It is not to the laity or simple priests to advance such arguments. All we need to do is follow the warnings of good shepherds to refuse obedience to revolution. Libera nos Domine!
https://catholicfamilynews.com/blog/2023/12/11/archbishop-vigano-is-the-pope-catholic/
Archbishop Viganò_ Is the Pope Catholic_