Archbishop Viganò, Schism, and Francis —Marc Balestrieri

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Patrick Coffin

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4.8 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 12 September 2024

⏱️ 20 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this thought-provoking episode of The Patrick Coffin Show, Patrick engages in a rather detailed, and somewhat technical, conversation with canon lawyer Marc Balestrieri to address two hot-button topics within the Catholic Church: the schismatic claims surrounding Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò and the mounting evidence that Pope Francis (Jorge Bergoglio) could be considered an antipope.

Guest Marc Balestrieri is founder and president of Canonical Aid, an international canon law service helping lay and clergy with canonical issues. He is licensed to practice before any ecclesiastical court in the world, except the tribunals of the Holy See, and specializes in the nullity of Marriage, penal canon law, rotal Jurisprudence and praxis, and the rights of clerics and the faithful.

He was recruited to serve as a staff canonist for the Sacred Roman Rota in the Vatican for the Holy See, and his record includes service in the United States for the Archdioceses of Saint Paul & Minneapolis, Saint Louis, and Los Angeles; England for the Archdiocese of Westminster; and France for the Archdiocese of Strasbourg.

In this interview, Balestrieri offers a detailed analysis of the canonical definitions of schism and whether Viganò’s outspoken critiques of Francis, in light of the July 2024 Vatican announcement of Viganò’s excommunication for schism. They explore Viganò’s controversial stance on issues like the Second Vatican Council and his sharp critiques of the Vatican’s leadership.

The conversation then pivots to the question of Bergoglio’s legitimacy as pope. Balestrieri shares insights into historical and canonical precedents that fuel arguments for and against the idea that Francis may not be the true successor of St. Peter. Patrick and Marc discuss the impact these debates have on the faithful and the Church’s unity, encouraging listeners to think critically about the current papal crisis.

Tune in for a fascinating exploration of modern ecclesial controversies, and what it all means for Catholics worldwide.

Topics covered in this episode:

The proper definition of schism
The differences between the 1917 Pio-Benedictine Code of Canon Law
The dilemma of being on trial for excommunication and schism when you don’t recognize the validity of the antagonist-judges
The relevant canons for papal resignation and the distinction between munus (office or gift) and ministerium (external functions)
Principles for maintaining hope in an upside down Church under Bergoglio
The controversies surrounding the St. Gallen Mafia’s misadventures in the lead up and voting pattern in the March 2013 Conclave

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Marc Balestrieri’s website

Pope Emeritus? The Always Is Also a Forever by Estefania Acosta Ochoa

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to the Patrick Coffinshaw. Let's get right into it. I want to speak with
0:03.7	Canon lawyer Mark Balistrei about the status of Archbishop Carla Maria Vigno and
0:08.9	what a sism is and maybe hit the canonical evidence about the anti-pop or pseudo-pop regarding Francis
0:15.5	originally from Buenos Aires. Lots to talk about. This is something of interest to people
0:20.5	outside the Catholic Church as well because it goes to global geopolitics
0:24.2	and the difference between true justice and the best we can hope for here in this
0:30.2	life both civil and canonical. This episode brought to you by my pillow. I'm very
0:35.2	gung-ho about Mike Lindell. I've been interviewed Mike three times. I love their products. It's not just
0:39.7	pillows. It's not just sheets. It's towels, it's bathrobes, it's doggy beds, my dog scout,
0:46.4	sleeps on my pillow bed, it's slippers, it's everything. Go to my pillow. My name, Patrick, at the
0:51.3	checkout, that's the coupon code, Patrick gets you a 66% discount for Patrick
0:56.3	Coffin Show listeners.
0:57.6	So go to my pillow.com, it's all American made, money back guarantee.
1:00.7	I love his products.
1:01.8	I'm grateful to Mike for his stick-toitiveness and his
1:06.3	punch back twice as hard. So we're big My Pillow fans here at the Patrick Coffin show.
1:11.0	My Pillow.com, Patrick's the coupon at checkout.
1:14.6	You're welcome in advance.
1:15.5	I first met our guest today, Mark Belles Jerry, at a party in Los Angeles in the previous
1:20.0	millennium.
1:21.0	I remember what I was wearing.
1:22.4	I think I remember what you were wearing Mark.
	...

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