The Miracle, Catholic Notion & Bergoglio's Denial - Fr. Nicolás E. Despósito 06-27-16

Summary

Fr. Nicolás E. Despósito critically examines the Catholic understanding of miracles, focusing particularly on "Pope" Francis (referred to as Jorge Bergoglio) and his repeated denial of the traditional notion of miracles as presented in the Gospel, specifically the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. Fr. Despósito contrasts Bergoglio’s modern, symbolic interpretation of miracles with the classical Catholic doctrine, as articulated by St. Thomas Aquinas and the Vatican Council, which defines miracles as supernatural acts performed by God, transcending natural laws and serving as divine signs to confirm faith and revelation. Fr. Despósito argues that Bergoglio’s denial undermines the foundation of Christian faith, reducing miracles to mere acts of sharing or natural phenomena rather than divine interventions. He further associates such denial with modernist theological trends, which diminish or reject supernatural events, citing Joseph Ratzinger’s skepticism about the resurrection as a parallel example. Fr. Despósito warns that this denial signals a broader apostasy within the Church, whereby the supernatural dimension of Christianity is replaced by naturalism and secular ideologies, particularly those stemming from Vatican II reforms. Despite this crisis, Fr. Despósito encourages hope based on Christ’s compassion and the ultimate reality of true miracles, urging Catholics to remain steadfast and pray for enlightenment for those misled by current ecclesiastical authorities.

Highlights

• "Pope" Francis denies the traditional Catholic understanding of miracles, interpreting the multiplication of loaves as symbolic sharing rather than a supernatural event.
• Catholic doctrine defines miracles as supernatural acts by God that transcend natural laws and confirm divine revelation.
• The denial of miracles undermines the credibility of Christ’s divine mission and the foundation of Christian faith.
• Modernist theology, including figures like Joseph Ratzinger, has contributed to skepticism about miracles and the resurrection.
• The denial of miracles is tied to a broader crisis in the Church, often associated with Vatican II and a move toward naturalism and secular ideologies.
• True miracles are signs of God’s omnipotence and sanctity, and cannot occur outside the Catholic Church.
• Despite the crisis, the Gospel offers hope through Christ’s compassion and the promise of divine intervention.

Key Insights

• "Pope" Francis’ Symbolic Interpretation of Miracles: Bergoglio’s repeated statements reinterpret miracles such as the multiplication of loaves as metaphors for sharing and community spirit rather than literal supernatural events. This stance reflects a modernist approach that prioritizes moral lessons over divine intervention, fundamentally altering the traditional Catholic understanding and potentially confusing the faithful about the nature of divine power.
• Classical Catholic Definition of Miracle: Fr. Despósito highlights the precise theological criteria for miracles, citing St. Thomas Aquinas and the Vatican Council. Miracles are not merely extraordinary natural events but are acts by God that transcend the laws of nature entirely. This distinction is crucial for maintaining the integrity of faith, as miracles serve as divine proofs of God’s omnipotence and the truth of His revelation.
• Miracles as Proof of Divine Revelation: Miracles carry probative force; they are signs that authenticate the messenger and message of God. The Gospel accounts show Jesus performing miracles to confirm His divine mission. Denying miracles thus removes a key foundation that supports belief in Jesus’s divinity and the Church’s teachings.
• Consequences of Denying Miracles: Rejecting the reality of miracles equates to denying Christ’s divinity, His messianic role, and the supernatural nature of the Church. Such denial risks reducing Christianity to a purely human creation, undermining salvation history and the Church’s claim to divine authority.
• Modernism and Theological Skepticism: Fr. Despósito identifies Bergoglio’s views as part of a broader modernist trend that treats miracles as symbolic or psychological experiences rather than factual events. Joseph Ratzinger’s theological reflections on the resurrection are presented as an example of this skepticism, which challenges orthodox Christian doctrines and contributes to the erosion of traditional faith.
• Crisis in the Church Post-Vatican II: Fr. Despósito situates the denial of miracles within the context of the post-Vatican II Church, describing it as a time of apostasy where naturalism and secular ideologies supplant supernatural faith. This crisis allegedly attracts those hostile to