Pope Francis Teaches Clearly on the Eucharist — and Other Things

EDITORIAL: As the 10th Eucharistic Congress commences in Indianapolis, it’s a good time to cast aside the bogus ‘anti-Francis’ claims advanced by some dissenting Catholics and reflect instead on where the Holy Father really stands.

Certain “progressive” Catholic thought leaders love to label other Catholics who resist their attempts to radically change Church teaching as “anti-Francis.”

Not only is it a lazy rhetorical device, it’s also plain silly — especially since the latest Catholic leader to exhibit what have been called “anti-Francis” leanings is Pope Francis himself.

In recent months, he has made a series of bold, unequivocal statements upholding Catholic teachings on some of the most contentious issues in the Church today.

The first of these was the April 8 release of Dignitas Infinita. Issued through Francis’ chief of doctrine, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, the declaration provides a timely reaffirmation of what the Church teaches on such hot button issues as gender ideology, abortion and euthanasia.

That was followed by Francis’ 60 Minutesinterview with Nora O’Donnell, which aired in full on May 19, in which he bluntly answered the call for the ordination of women to the diaconate (and hence holy orders) with an emphatic, “No.”

It’s true that at other times during his pontificate, Francis has communicated more ambiguously about some contested issues. But there is no mistaking that, while the Synod on Synodality is still underway, he has gone out of his way to reiterate the Church’s teaching — clearly, forcefully and repeatedly. This is the strong pastoral leadership our Church desperately needs.

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