Question Regarding Quote Attributed to the Pope

Boulder257 · #1 Jun 5, '12, 11:20 am

In a recent thread a poster mentioned the following:

"Anecdotally, in one of the recent meetings between the Pope and Bishop Fellay. +Fellay suggested that the Pope certainly had the authority and power to made one particular provision happen quickly. The Pope's reply was "Do you see that door? (Referring to the meeting room door). That is as far as my authority goes."

Rather than hijack their thread, I thought I would start a new one to ask my question, which is simply: Can anyone provide a source for this anecdote? It seems to me that this is contradictory to the Holy Father's style, especially considering who he was supposedly speaking to.

Any insight or sources would are greatly appreciated.

Rich C · #2 Jun 5, '12, 11:30 am

I feel uneasy talking about what the pope chooses to keep behind closed doors. However, stories about the curia opposing the Holy Father are running rampant right now and seem to be common knowledge. I think that's what the quote alludes to, whether it is truly the words of Benedict XVI or not.

Let's keep praying our Rosaries for him, whatever is going on he'll always need our prayers.

Chatter163 · #3 Jun 5, '12, 12:14 pm

I have zero faith in any report that attributes quotes to the Holy Father in the context of a private conversation. Private conversations are just that, private.

Boulder257 · #4 Jun 5, '12, 1:01 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chatter163

I have zero faith in any report that attributes quotes to the Holy Father in the context of a private conversation. Private conversations are just that, private.

I happen to agree, which is why I have so much trouble with this "quote." I just find the entire thing odd for many reasons and was hoping someone could shed some light on the subject for me. Regardless, the assertion was made in another post and I am just trying to determine the source.

Chatter163 · #5 Jun 5, '12, 2:52 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boulder257

I happen to agree, which is why I have so much trouble with this "quote." I just find the entire thing odd for many reasons and was hoping someone could shed some light on the subject for me. Regardless, the assertion was made in another post and I am just trying to determine the source.

There is no source. It is just rumor. Have no trouble with it. Spend no time on it.

PJM · #6 Jun 5, '12, 3:03 pm

Quote:

=Boulder257;9373748]In a recent thread a poster mentioned the following:

"Anecdotally, in one of the recent meetings between the Pope and Bishop Fellay. +Fellay suggested that the Pope certainly had the authority and power to made one particular provision happen quickly. The Pope's reply was "Do you see that door? (Referring to the meeting room door). That is as far as my authority goes."

Rather than hijack their thread, I thought I would start a new one to ask my question, which is simply: Can anyone provide a source for this anecdote? It seems to me that this is contradictory to the Holy Father's style, especially considering who he was supposedly speaking to.

Any insight or sources would are greatly appreciated.

What possible good can come from this topic:shrug:

Is our task NOT "to build up the Church?"

God Bless you my friend,
pat /PJM

Boulder257 · #7 Jun 6, '12, 4:57 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJM

What possible good can come from this topic:shrug:

Is our task NOT "to build up the Church?"

God Bless you my friend,
pat /PJM

Well, I think knowing our faith and how to defend it is important. Should someone from another faith bring this up to me, or in this case another Catholic, I want to be able to say it's bunk, or quote a source and the proper context. Why shrug at my honest and sincere quest for information?

PJM · #8 Jun 6, '12, 5:31 am

Quote:

=Boulder257;9376177]Well, I think knowing our faith and how to defend it is important. Should someone from another faith bring this up to me, or in this case another Catholic, I want to be able to say it's bunk, or quote a source and the proper context. Why shrug at my honest and sincere quest for information?

Your POINT is VERY valid; however raising it on a public form IMO may not be the most prudent way?

Your timing coincides when the Pope is UNDER attack from within the vatican. This seems to me just to be more fuel on the fire or resentment.

I had to intent to offend you; just stating what I see as the obvious.

God Bless you,
Pat /PJM

Boulder257 · #9 Jun 6, '12, 6:34 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJM

Your POINT is VERY valid; however raising it on a public form IMO may not be the most prudent way?

Your timing coincides when the Pope is UNDER attack from within the vatican. This seems to me just to be more fuel on the fire or resentment.

I had to intent to offend you; just stating what I see as the obvious.

God Bless you,
Pat /PJM

I'm assuming you meant you had *no" intent to offend me, but if not, I have big shoulders,
I think that makes very good sense. Sometimes I see this forum as Catholics Only, or at least a well informed group of Catholics. I wanted to educate myself and saw this as a great source; however, you are right in that this may just not be the place. Thanks for the thought.

PJM · #10 Jun 6, '12, 3:36 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boulder257

I'm assuming you meant you had *no" intent to offend me, but if not, I have big shoulders,
I think that makes very good sense. Sometimes I see this forum as Catholics Only, or at least a well informed group of Catholics. I wanted to educate myself and saw this as a great source; however, you are right in that this may just not be the place. Thanks for the thought.

Know "no" NO!

Darn I hate it when thatb happens,

Gods CONTINUED Blessing my friend

Pat

thistle · #11 Jun 8, '12, 4:58 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boulder257

In a recent thread a poster mentioned the following:

"Anecdotally, in one of the recent meetings between the Pope and Bishop Fellay. +Fellay suggested that the Pope certainly had the authority and power to made one particular provision happen quickly. The Pope's reply was "Do you see that door? (Referring to the meeting room door). That is as far as my authority goes."

Rather than hijack their thread, I thought I would start a new one to ask my question, which is simply: Can anyone provide a source for this anecdote? It seems to me that this is contradictory to the Holy Father's style, especially considering who he was supposedly speaking to.

Any insight or sources would are greatly appreciated.

Unfounded rumours should simply be ignored. The onus is not on Catholics to refute baseless assertions. The onus is on the person making these assertions to provide evidence of them which can then be discussed.

JReducation · #12 Jun 8, '12, 7:53 pm

The answer comes from Bishop Fellay himself. In his latest interview for the SSPX newsletter, Bishop Fellay said, "I have never spoken with the Holy Father about regularization."

If he has never had any such conversation with the Holy Father, the quote cannot be true.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

Boulder257 · #13 Jun 8, '12, 8:13 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JReducation

The answer comes from Bishop Fellay himself. In his latest interview for the SSPX newsletter, Bishop Fellay said, "I have never spoken with the Holy Father about regularization."

If he has never had any such conversation with the Holy Father, the quote cannot be true.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

Thank you Brother. I was hoping you would weigh in as I greatly respect your opinion and knowledge. Again, thanks.

JReducation · #14 Jun 8, '12, 8:25 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boulder257

Thank you Brother. I was hoping you would weigh in as I greatly respect your opinion and knowledge. Again, thanks.

You're welcome. This may be a misquote from an interview that the Holy Father did for the book, Light of The World. The interviewer asked him about heterodoxy, the sex abuse scandal, the SSPX, Catholics dissenting on abortion and contraception and other hot issues of the day. He asked the Holy Father what could the pope do to resolve these problems.

The Holy Father responded that many people believe that the pope is a very powerful man. In reality, the pope has very little power. The pope can make law and policies. He can hand down directions and commands; but he does not have the power to enforce any of that. It all depends on the good will of the receiver. THAT made perfect sense.

If we want to see how much power a pope has to enforce his decrees we need look no further than Henry VIII.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

Mike30 · #15 Jun 8, '12, 8:34 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JReducation

The answer comes from Bishop Fellay himself. In his latest interview for the SSPX newsletter, Bishop Fellay said, "I have never spoken with the Holy Father about regularization."

If he has never had any such conversation with the Holy Father, the quote cannot be true.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

As always Brother, the calm voice of reason in a sea of violent storms and rumors.