The Pope's last visit to Belgium was rather emotional. In this country, the Holy Father addressed the audience with words that upset the progressives. Francis praised the erstwhile monarch for refusing to sign a law allowing infanticide and challenged feminist demands for equality of women in the Church. The angry consequence of progressive environments to these remarks is simply a manifestation of their disappointment with Francis and the main task of his pontificate – the Synod for Synodality. Liberals inactive see the Holy Father as 1 of their own – and cannot swallow the fact that any of their demands are not implemented by the Vatican.
Between 26 and 29 September, Pope Francis visited Belgium and Luxembourg. The episcopate of the first of these countries is considered to be 1 of the most progressive, and society itself has undergone deep secularization over the last decades.
The Belgian Church is 1 of the most hopeful of Francis' pontificate. Even before the publication of the “Fiducia Supplicans” from Belgium, they sought the blessings of sinful homosexual unions. The Belgian hierarchs decided in 2022 to voluntarily declare their consent to specified practices, contrary to the authoritative position of the Vatican.
The Liberal Belgians believe Francis is their ally in the work of changing Catholic doctrine. As part of the synodic process, and not only the pope has made decisions that at least to any degree go hand in hand with supporters of the rejection of the Magisterium of the Church; he has repeatedly gone to praise the multiplicity of religions that even contact upon the declaration of spiritual indifference...
That is why the criticism of abortion and feminist logic in Francis's mouth angered both politicians and progressive Catholic authorities – most likely only by name – the University of Leuven. 2 of his statements were a concrete basis for the pope’s reproach.
The political scene was fraught with the most papal praise of King Baudouin, who temporarily abdicated in 1999 so as not to gotta sign under the legalizing infanticide government design. Francis expressed his appreciation for the monarch's conduct. Referring to the current proposal to extend the legality of the unborn murder, he called for bold opposition to “established criminal rights”.
The reason for the Holy Father's feud with the authorities of the University of Leuven – a university that educated both the celebrated Archbishop Fulton Sheen and many fathers of liberation theology – was Francis' comment on the function of women in the Church. Contrary to the aspirations of progressives and feminist logic, the pope did not declare that the ordination of the deaconate should stand before the sex a beautiful opening. On the contrary, he pointed out that the prestigious position in the Church gives women not competition with men, but faithfulness focused on motherhood of calling.
The university authorities immediately after the Holy Father's visit published a message full of pretence to the Holy Father, officially cutting off from the words of Christ the Vicar. The country's politicians went to the offensive on Thursday 3 October. During the parliament meeting, the Prime Minister of the country – Alexander de Croo – found the words of the Holy Father unacceptable interference in the state policy. Left parliamentarians accused Francis of “inappropriate provocation”. The Pope's opinion on the place of women in the Church was publically criticised by Green and Socialist parliamentarians. The consequence of the political uproar is to call the Apostolic Nuncio of the country before the secular authorities.
Who can be a prophet among their own?
This agitated reaction to Francis' words comes from 2 sources. On the 1 hand, it is an easy-to-predict opposition from left-wing radicals to the remnants of opposition against their agenda. The firm attitude of the Church in this substance is the main origin of support for the task to defend life. As in the old days of left-wing politicians, Catholicism, which hinders their desire, is ensnaring. It is worth considering whether if the Church were to talk likewise decisively and frequently about abortion about another opposing Christian morality tendencies, it would not be able to produce a akin effect.
On the another hand, this event seems to indicate a complete failure of the papal dialog program with the progressives Not only in the case of travel to Belgium, but besides in relations with the German episcopate, it can be seen that radicals do not satisfy the partial successes that Francis' pontificate provided them. Left – both secular and ecclesiastical cannot accept the fact that Francis is not full her man.
Well, what Belgian policy would surprise us with the question of infanticide during the visit of John Paul II? most likely none. In the meantime, the present pope thus induced a common odysium. possibly due to the fact that he had previously given progressives grounds to believe that he would implement in the Church the fullness of their program... In a number of issues, however, Francis only opens the door to the anticipation of a change in doctrine. However, it does not act as full and fast as the progressives would expect.
This fact is exasperating the supporters of the complete adjustment of the Church to the world. Those who would simply make Catholicism a cult of modernity have an ally in the Pope... but not in the complete. A visit to Belgium shows that there is besides a space of dispute between the most ardent progressives and Francis. The second feel that the current pontificate is an outstanding chance for them – and are afraid of losing it. May the closest change to the throne of Peter, erstwhile it did not come, seal their disappointment.
Philip Adamus
