Summary
Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, created by Pope Francis and a former Master of the Dominican Order, responded to accusations that he is a “progressive” in an interview with La Repubblica. In his statement, Cardinal Radcliffe emphasized that Catholic thought should not be confined to ideological categories. He criticized those who have labeled him as such for not engaging with his work or reading his writings, emphasizing that labels are useful only for jam jars, not for human beings. Radcliffe also spoke about the tendency in some parts of the Church to frame debates between “traditionalists” and “progressives,” which he described as foreign to Catholicism. The cardinal praised Pope Francis’s passionate commitment to change and noted that his reforming energy complements the emphasis on unity by Leo XIV, who recently entrusted Cardinal Radcliffe with introducing meditations at a cardinals’ gathering. Radcliffe addressed Fiducia Supplicans, a Vatican declaration concerning pastoral blessings issued under Francis. He defended its broad inclusivity but suggested that a more synodal process could have alleviated tensions. Regarding women’s roles in the Church, Cardinal Radcliffe reiterated support for diaconal ordination of women and emphasized the growth of female authority within ecclesial life. He highlighted this as an ongoing development while also noting that no immediate change is imminent.
Key Topics
Vatican City, Francis, Leo XIV
