“A good Christian knows—and knows it from his Catechism—that true Religion consists in the true faith; it consists in Revelation, which concluded with the death of the last Apostle and is entrusted to the Church, which is its interpreter and guardian.”
(Cardinal Alfredo Ottaviani)
12-12-25, In Tua Justitia Libera me Domine, by A. di J.
Dear friends and readers,
Today, December 12, on the liturgical memorial of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas and of Mexico, we entrust to Her—who is Mediatrix of all graces and Mother of the Church—this supplication which we, the People of God, address to the Supreme Pontiff, raising prayers to God to ask for Her intercession, protection, and guidance for the Pope, so that he may lead the Church with wisdom, divine illumination, and strength, especially in difficult times such as these, and for peace and concord within the Church, invoking upon Her divine support.
When has it ever been like this…?
This is an expression meant to say that although in the recent or distant past there have been difficulties, misunderstandings, and various kinds of “unease”—and this can happen with regard to any subject—nevertheless, things have never reached this point! Yes… anyone in the Catholic Church today finds it difficult to hide the embarrassment when seeing, hearing, or learning certain things that truly clash even with sensitivities far removed from what is considered, or above all believed, to be “sacred.” In matters of faith, one cannot play seesaw, nor can one believe in revealed truths only to then interpret them according to one’s own opinion. In her great humility and wisdom, the Church has always held that the truths of faith themselves are the precious treasure to be safeguarded.
These truths are not to be kept in a safe as if they were jewels at risk of being stolen. Very often, precisely with regard to precious objects, this happens: they are kept locked away, without giving anyone the possibility of admiring them. What purpose do they serve, if not to lose their splendor? On the contrary, the Church makes the revealed truths of faith the object of her proclamation, her witness, and even her suffering unto martyrdom, if necessary. Yet she always safeguards them with respect and love. The Church has also always wished to create an “ad hoc” body to do this. Over the centuries it has taken on various names, up to the current one, namely the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Certainly, within the internal organization of the Church and in relation to the person of the Pope, it is the reality that requires the greatest responsibility, seriousness, and respect, precisely because of the “matter” it deals with. Sacred history, as made by the Church, has offered us wonderful pages concerning this body. The temptation is always to think and say that in the past they made mistakes, and that only today are we capable of correctly interpreting and concretely implementing the right way to help the People of God treasure the deposit of faith. If that were so, we would be overly proud, and surely those who come after us would not be slow to point it out.
With these reflections, as the People of God, we ask you, Holy Father, to turn your gaze to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. In these first months of your pontificate, you have offered us the image of a man of God who listens, discerns, and, when necessary, intervenes even by revisiting at the root positions previously taken. Everyone appreciates the delicacy with which you seek to “adjust,” without clamor, certain decisions of your predecessor. This is undoubtedly very beautiful and offers an image of true Christian charity. Now, Holy Father, welcoming the “sense” of so many among the People of God, we ask you, for the good of the Church and also of the person concerned, to replace the current prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Fernández.
We do not wish to enter into the merits of the motivations that led Pope Francis to want him in that role. However, we cannot pretend nothing is happening regarding the fact that from the very beginning, when it was announced that he would be the prefect, very many people expressed their disapproval, particularly in his homeland, Argentina. There have been too many pronouncements in these years, since he became prefect, imbued with ambiguity; this has necessarily required continual new interventions to clarify, to deepen, to revise what had previously been said. Moreover, in light of what was known from the beginning and has returned to the forefront in recent days, Cardinal Fernández, due to a personal inclination toward a certain literary style, is certainly not the most suitable person to hold this role. Those who remain silent, who do not speak out, are not necessarily in agreement with this person and his style. Quite simply, we are witnessing a resignation on the part of many regarding this person and this issue, but the unease exists and remains. Cardinal Fernández may do well, and even better, on another front, but not on this one. Holiness, we ask this for the good of the Church, not out of resentment toward the person of the cardinal. The embarrassment is now great, and it is clear that even he is embarrassed, because his empathy was probably greater with Pope Francis.
Finally, Holiness, before the Jubilee ends, we ask of you a great act of courage that would become a great testimony of faith, of spiritual fatherhood, and of true fraternity. In past years, many priests and bishops have become rigid precisely over issues concerning the interpretation of the faith and its applications. Many of them have suffered censures up to excommunication. What more beautiful gesture could there be, before the end of the Jubilee, than to announce your desire to meet them all, listening to what they have to say? They are pastors who have given their lives out of love for Christ, the Gospel, and the faith. They have accepted humiliations and condemnations. We beg you, Holiness… make this act of true mercy. Many of the burdens that were laid upon these sacred ministers could have been avoided simply by listening to them and speaking with them. It was not done then, but it can be done now. What a great message the holy People of God would receive!
Holiness, we reaffirm our love for the Church, for your person, and for the extraordinary mission that God has entrusted to you.
May the Lord bless and protect you always, together with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Regina Crucis!