The New Pope, Vatican II, and True and False Reform, by John M. Grondelski

By John M. Grondelski, The Catholic Thing, April 28, 2025

John Grondelski (Ph.D., Fordham) is a former associate dean of the School of Theology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey. All views herein are exclusively his.

Expect the word “reform” to be thrown around frequently during the current interregnum in the Church.  Looking backwards, there will be debates about what reforms were expected of Pope Francis, what he delivered or failed to deliver, and whether those acts or omissions were, in fact, reforms.  Looking forward, the argument will be over what “reforms” to expect from the next pope.

Part of the “reform” debate will center around the Second Vatican Council and its ongoing implementation.  One thing is for certain: whoever the next pope is – unless he is an octogenarian – for him, Vatican II will be an event of history, not unlike Trent or even Nicaea.  And even Francis, who no doubt remembered the Council, took no part in it. …