Summary
In 2023, Bishop Paprocki condemned Cardinal McElroy’s articles on Catholic moral theology in First Things. This led to criticism of modern bishops for lacking the courage and zeal of historical saints like Saint Basil the Great or Saint Nicholas of Breme. The article emphasizes that most contemporary orthodox bishops are cowardly, fearing excommunication and issuing anathema against heretics as their predecessors did. The author proposes a “charitable anathema,” which was first suggested by Cardinal Ottaviani in 1966 and urged by Father Dietrich von Hildebrand to Pope Paul VI in 1965. However, the pope declined. One notable example cited is Bishop Paprocki’s refusal to name names when criticizing Cardinal McElroy’s actions, which was echoed by Archbishop Cordileone who excommunicated accomplices of child abuse and supported by over sixteen bishops. The author argues that more action than talk is needed to combat heresy, with examples such as the bishop of South Bend, Indiana, who hesitated to impose interdict on Notre Dame during its revolt against Church teachings in the 1960s.
Key Topics
Bishop Paprocki, Cardinal McElroy, anathema
