Pope Francis finds a New Right Hand Man for the Vatican

Eighteen years ago, after the reign of Pope John Paul II, the College of Cardinals sought continuity and elected Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as Pope Benedict XVI, considering him the natural successor to John Paul's doctrinal and spiritual legacy. Now, with recent developments, it raises the question of whether Pope Francis is attempting to repeat history by appointing his own theological right hand, Archbishop Victor Manuel Fernandez, to the same position once held by Ratzinger as the Vatican's doctrinal leader.

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Highlights

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
7/3/2023 (9 months ago)

Published in Living Faith

Keywords: Pope Francis, Vatican,

Before delving further, it's crucial to note that the intention here is not to compare the intellectual contributions of Ratzinger and Fernandez, as that is beyond the scope of this discussion. Instead, the focus is on the political and personal dynamics between Fernandez and Francis, which mirror those between Ratzinger and John Paul, albeit with some notable differences.

The bond between Francis and Fernandez, both Argentines, runs even deeper than the connection between John Paul, a Pole, and Ratzinger, a German. This relationship dates back to 2007 when Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who later became Pope Francis, served as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires and Fernandez was a professor at a Catholic university in the same city. Fernandez acted as Bergoglio's theological advisor during a conference of Latin American bishops in Aparecida, Brazil, which laid the groundwork for Francis's papacy.

Fernandez has played a significant role in shaping Francis's doctrinal stance, being a primary contributor to the pope's 2013 apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium. He has also served as an informal advisor and sounding board for Francis on various important doctrinal questions. Notably, there are striking similarities between Fernandez's articles on the subject of allowing communion for civilly divorced and remarried Catholics, written in 2005 and 2006, and Francis's controversial document Amoris Laetitia issued in 2016.

While German Cardinal Gerhard MĂĽller and Spanish Cardinal Luis Ladaria Ferrer headed the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith during Francis's tenure, Fernandez's influence on shaping the pope's theological positions was deemed more significant by many observers. By appointing Fernandez to this position, Francis has formalized the powers that Fernandez is believed to have already held behind the scenes, essentially bringing a key member of his inner circle into his administration. It also positions Fernandez as a major force in the upcoming Synods of Bishops on synodality in October 2023 and October 2024.

It is widely expected that Francis will elevate Fernandez to the rank of cardinal in a future consistory. With this appointment, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, known as the "Holy Office," is regaining its relevance under Francis. The move was emphasized by the publication of an almost 800-word letter from Pope Francis to Fernandez, outlining his expectations and instructing him to safeguard the faith without resorting to "immoral methods."

Fernandez's role, as defined by Francis, is to institutionalize the pope's vision within the church's intellectual life, starting within the Vatican itself. This appointment aims to make it challenging for future popes to reverse the direction set by Francis. Fernandez will also play a role similar to Ratzinger's prime under John Paul II, providing theological judgment on the output of various Vatican departments, acting as a "quality control" officer for the pope.

While there are notable differences between Fernandez's role under Francis and Ratzinger's role under John Paul, such as age and the level of authority granted by the respective popes, three significant parallels can be observed. First, Fernandez becomes one of the most powerful figures in Francis's Vatican, potentially surpassing the influence of Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, just as Ratzinger did under John Paul. Second, Fernandez, much like Ratzinger, holds a polarizing position among Catholic conservatives and will likely face increased scrutiny. Third, if Fernandez becomes a cardinal, he will inevitably be considered a potential candidate for the papacy, particularly by those who support the ongoing reforms initiated by Francis.

The unfolding saga surrounding Fernandez's appointment will depend on various factors, including the remaining time of Pope Francis's papacy and how Fernandez conducts himself in his new role. Nevertheless, Francis has introduced an intriguing character into the already captivating drama of his papacy, further enhancing the Vatican's allure. As the Synod approaches, perhaps someone will publish "The Fernandez Report" to complete the circle, reminiscent of "The Ratzinger Report" that defined Catholicism's battle lines years ago.