Condemnation of Partisan Tactics in the Church

Pope Francis has accused some critics of exploiting the death of Pope Benedict XVI to further their ideological agendas, highlighting the growing partisan divide within the Catholic Church. Speaking during a flight back from South Sudan, he addressed the criticism that intensified following Benedict’s passing on December 31.

In the aftermath of Benedict’s death, his longtime secretary and several conservative cardinals published books and gave interviews that criticized Francis’ papacy, effectively positioning the late pope as a counterpoint to the current pontiff. Francis refuted claims of discord between himself and Benedict, asserting that they frequently consulted each other and were largely in agreement.

“I believe Benedict’s death was manipulated,” Francis stated. “Some sought to gain advantages for their own factions. Those who take advantage of such a virtuous individual, so close to God, lack ethics; they are more aligned with a party than with the church.”

To illustrate his point about Benedict’s impartiality, Francis recounted an incident involving a complaint made against him regarding his support for legal protections for same-sex partnerships during his time as archbishop of Buenos Aires. He had advocated for legislation that granted rights to stable relationships, including same-sex unions, as an alternative to legalising gay marriage, which the Church opposes.

Francis revealed that a self-proclaimed “great theologian” had lodged a complaint with Benedict over his stance. However, Benedict did not shy away from the issue; instead, he consulted four eminent theologians for clarity on the matter.

“They explained the situation to him, and that resolved the issue,” Francis noted. “This anecdote illustrates how Pope Benedict approached complaints.”