Pope Francis, ‘Doctor of the Law’, by Phil Lawler

By Phil Lawler, Catholic Culture, March 19, 2024

Phil Lawler has been a Catholic journalist for more than 30 years. He has edited several Catholic magazines and written eight books. Founder of Catholic World News, he is the news director and lead analyst at CatholicCulture.org.

Pope Francis frequently scolds the “doctors of the law,” the legalists, the clericalists. But his autobiography Life: My Story Through History shows that he fits into those categories himself.

While the book is scheduled for publication today, substantial excerpts have already appeared in the Italian media. And nearly every outlet—including Vatican News—has called attention to the Pope’s comments on homosexuality. Notice how he reasons to his position.

In defending Fiducia Supplicans, the controversial Vatican document authorizing blessings for same-sex couples, the Pope acknowledges that some bishops have declined to follow the directive, but argues that there is no cause for alarm, “because the doctrine of the Church is not questioned.” …

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