The possibility of a resignation may be causing a fast track of announcements

The recent rush of progressive announcements among clerics may be a sign of fear rather than strength, especially with the possibility of a resignation by Pope Francis on the horizon. After all, the German Church’s liberal turn is not in isolation, the Irish Church is also taking a liberal turn, while this week bishops in Belgium published a text on the pastoral care of LGBT Catholics, allowing for a blessing of same-sex couples. The text said such couples who choose to live “in lasting and faithful union with a partner” deserve “appreciation and support”, while referring to Pope Francis’s Amoris laetitia.

In Germany, a recent assembly of the Synodal Path also backed a text calling for “a re-evaluation of homosexuality in the Magisterium” as well as another text potentially paving the way for gay priests. The assembly said it is “aware of the at times precarious situation in which non-heterosexual priests find themselves and wishes to help break with the taboos and normalise their situation.” The objective is that “it is not sexual orientation – regardless of whether or not a person has come out – but human and professional aptitude that decides on access to and continuance in the Church’s ministry.” 

Contrast this with the president of the Polish Episcopal Conference, who publicly rebuked the Synodal Path. According to Poland’s own synodal report, Catholics there do not want doctrinal changes. This is hardly surprising. What the Pew Research Center discovered with regards to a divide on social attitudes across Europe is mirrored by the Continent’s Catholics. According to Pew: “In Western Europe, large majorities of Catholics said in 2017 that they support legal same-sex marriage.” However, “in almost all of the Central and Eastern European countries surveyed by the Center in 2015 and 2016, most Catholics oppose same-sex marriage”. The data for acceptance of same-sex partnerships is more ambiguous. Nevertheless, it is indicative that while in Germany 93 per cent of Catholics are supportive, this drops to 48 per cent in Hungary, 46 per cent in the Czech Republic, and 45 per cent in Poland. 

Apart from the fact an ideological schism is emerging between Catholics in eastern and western Europe – mirroring trends across the Continent – it seems progressives are increasingly looking to fast-track policies lest the Pontiff makes a sudden exit. The Pope has hardly done anything to calm rumours, recently saying he can no longer travel like he once did, and one day may have to retire. Pope Francis repeated a phrase – “the door is open” – adding that there was nothing wrong with a Pope stepping down. Returning from Canada, the Pope said: “It’s not strange. It’s not a catastrophe. You can change the Pope.” 

This is not the first time the Pope has used such rhetoric, not least in reference to his predecessor, Benedict XVI. Last month, speaking with Reuters, the Pope said he might resign if poor health made it impossible to continue. At the same time, however, conservatives may have their own cause for concern, given that 83 of the 132 cardinal electors have now been chosen by the Pope, with the high possibility that a future leader of the Church is very much a man after his own heart. Still, it feels as though the liberals are the ones more in a rush, perhaps fearful that a continuity candidate is not so likely after all, with even Cardinal Tagle’s candidacy for the top job being questioned.

The Pope has also disappointed many reformers, and progressives may fear that a continuity candidate may not actually live up to the billing. This may explain the activity in the likes of Belgium and Germany, in particular. Meanwhile, the possibility of a more conservative-minded candidate is growing, possibly more conservative than many right now imagine. All eyes for now remain on Pope Francis, how he responds to announcements in Belgium and Germany, and what will be the outcome of 2023’s Synod on Synodality. Of course, that may be the moment the Pontiff finally bows out.

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