The Remnant Newspaper
The impending beatification of Pope John Paul II on May 1, 2011 has aroused serious concern among not a few Catholics around the world, who are concerned about the condition of the Church and the scandals that have afflicted her in recent years—scandals that prompted the future Benedict XVI to exclaim on Good Friday 2005: “How much filth there is in the Church, even among those who, in the priesthood, should belong entirely to Him.” We give voice to our own concern in this public way in keeping with the law of the Church, which provides:
In accord with the knowledge, competence and preeminence which they possess, the Christian faithful have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church, and they have a right to make their opinion known to the other Christian faithful, with due regard for the integrity of faith and morals and reverence towards their pastors, and with consideration for the common good and the dignity of persons. [CIC (1983), Can. 212, § 3.]
We are compelled by what we believe in conscience to be the common good of the Church to express our reservations concerning this beatification. We do so on the following grounds, among others that could be brought forth. ...
[signatories]
Michael J. Matt
Editor/Publisher, The Remnant
USA
Rod Pead
Editor, Christian Order
UK
John Vennari
Editor, Catholic Family News
USA
Gary Scarrabelotti
Editor, Oriens
Journal of the Oriens Founation Inc.
Australia
Christopher J. Paulitz
Contributor, Rorate Caeli
USA
Christopher A. Ferrara, JD
American Catholic Lawyers Association, Inc.
USA
James Bogle Esq MA TD
Barrister of the Middle Temple, London
UK
John Rao, Ph.D. Oxford
St. John’s University, New York
USA
Brian M. McCall
Associate Professor
University of Oklahoma College of Law
USA
Fr. Brian W. Harrison, O.S., M.A., S.T.D.
Associate Professor (Emeritus) of Theology,
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico
USA
Fr Thomas Crean OP, MA (Oxon.), STL
Tutor in Pastoral Theology, Maryvale Institute, Birmingham
United Kingdom
R. J. Stove
Writer
Melbourne, Australia
Timothy J. Cullen
Columnist, The Remnant
Argentina
John F. Salza, Esq.
Catholic Author and Apologist
USA
Edwin C. Faust
Catholic Journalist
USA
Kenneth J. Wolfe
Catholic Writer
Washington, D.C.