Logical Analysis
“Final cause is defined as “something that is the end or purpose of a process” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 850). Peace is the final cause of the thorough investigation by Estefania Acosta where she examines two things: Pope Benedict XVI's speech on February 11, 2013 and the Cardinal's election on March 13, 2013. Acosta writes how “doubt, uncertainty, [and] confusion [are] always torture” (p. 26). As a result, the investigation of showing that Benedict XVI is the Pope in Rome should bring peace to Catholics in every town and city in every country. Acosta writes, “We can affirm, without the risk of ‘latae sententiae’ or fear in the conscience, that Benedict XVI is [the] Pope” (p. 33). Thus, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022, because Benedict XVI’s papacy removed confusion and brings about peace in the Church.
“Material” cause is defined as “something out of which something is made or comes into being” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 1392). Power is the material cause out of which the speech on February 11, 2013, is made and from which the election on March 13, 2013, comes to be. Both the speech and the election influence every Catholic in the world. “Power” is defined as “the ability to compel obedience” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 1778). In general, Acosta thoroughly examines the “true supreme authority of the Catholic Church to whom, as Vicar of Christ and Supreme Pastor of His flock on earth, fidelity and holy filial obedience are owed” (p. 26). More specifically, Acosta investigates the “active exercise of certain functions or ministries associated with the charge or ‘munus’ of the Roman Pontiff” (p. 55) The person with the supreme power in the Church is the person who authentically possesses the charge and “munus” of the Supreme Pastor. Thus, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022, because Benedict XVI genuinely possessed the power, charge and “munus” of the Supreme Pastor.
“Formal cause” is defined as “the structure, essence or pattern that that a fully realized thing embodies” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 893). Suspicion is the formal cause and surrounds the papacy in Rome for two reasons. First, the speech on February 11, 2013, is suspicious, because the speech is full of Latin mistakes and has “Latinity corruption” (p. 78). According to Acosta, the “Latinity defects… produce… a suspicion of falsity that extends to the entire content” of the speech (p. 80). Church doctrine is weakened by the grammatical errors in Benedict XVI’s speech. Further, the election on March 12, 2103, is suspicious, since the conclave elected Bergoglio and a person who accepts “Masonic leaders,” (p. 105), “kneels to receive… blessings from Evangelical pastors,” (p. 105) and tells members of Judaism that “love leads us to brotherhood” (p. 109). Catholic allegiance to the Pope is weakened when Bergoglio highlights the Masons and downplays the papacy. Thus, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022, because Benedict XVI understood Latin grammar, rejected Masonic teachings, and removed the suspicion triggered by the Cardinals.
“Principal” agent cause is defined as “the person chiefly concerned in a legal proceeding” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 1802). The Lord is the principal agent Who is chiefly concerned about the Supreme Pastor and the Pope in Rome. Pope Benedict XVI writes, “the Lord will come to the aid of His Church” (p. 72) The Lord apprehends the contents of the speech on February 11, 2013. Plus, He comprehends the election on March 13, 2013. How do we know that He knows? Because the Pope works for Him in the “Church of Christ” (p. 73). Thus, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022, because Benedict XVI worked for the Lord in His Church.
“Preparing” agent cause is defined as that which “makes ready beforehand for a purpose" (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 1802). Benedict XVI is the preparing agent who is ready to preserve the supreme authority in the Church. Acosta writes, “While the enemies of the Church would seek to destroy her from the inside, posted in the bureaucratic scaffolding, Pope Benedict would continue to support Her from his retirement of prayer and suffering” (p. 167). Just as Pope Benedict pretended to resign from the job as the Supreme Pastor in Rome by giving the speech on February 11, 2013, with grammatical errors, so, too, Bergoglio pretended to take the job as the Supreme Pastor in Rome by holding an election on March 13, 2013, with canonical errors. Acosta writes, “Benedict’s resignation from the position of Roman Pontiff never existed, and, on the contrary, he was directed by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to preserve the charge [and office] in a veiled way” (p. 94). It is sad how some leaders in the Church are not logical and do not care about grammatical errors. Further, it is pitiful how some leaders in the Church are not ethical and do not care about canon law. Consequently, some people in the Church are not subject to the authentic Pope in Rome and risk doom. Thus, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022, because Benedict XVI prepared a “veiled” speech for February 11, 2013 in order to preserve the supreme authority in the Church.
“Assisting” agent is defined as a person who "support or aid to another especially in some undertaking or effort" (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 132). Venerable Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824) is the assisting agent to Acosta’s thorough examination, because Venerable Anne Catherine Emmerich had clear visions from the Lord about His Church. Emmerich writes, “I saw a strange church being built and upside down from all the rules. However, the traditional Church was like a tree full of sap compared to the other one that looked like a trunk full of inanimate objects” (p. 240). It is “strange” how the election on March 13, 2013, is “upside down” from the rules in "Universe Dominici Gregis" (1996), numbers 63, 65, 68, 69, 76, and 81 (p. 159). Thus, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022, because Benedict XVI rejected membership in the “strange church being built” that is “upside down from all the rules” (p 240).
“Instrumental” agent is defined as “a means or intermediary determining or leading to a particular result” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 1172). Canon law is the the instrumental agent Acosta uses to determines the authentic Pope in Rome. Acosta writes, “The hierarchical set of sources of canon law with their respective normative categories” along with the “classification that within this set would correspond to the… juridical acts” of "Benedict XVI’s ‘resignation’ from and [B]ergoglio’s ‘election’ to the office of the Roman Pontiff” (p. 30). Acosta appreciates canon law and analyzed the speech on February 11, 2013, and the election on March 13, 2013. Thus, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022, because Benedict XVI’s papacy was supported by the “juridical acts” (p. 30) of canon law.
“Counseling” agent is defined as a person who “advises seriously and formally after consultation” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 518). Estefania Acosta is our counseling agent in the investigation into the authentic Pope in Rome, because she successfully completed “Master of Law” degree with honors from the University of Medellin in Medellin, Columbia. She is a trustworthy expert who seriously examined the speech on February 11, 2013, and formally analyzed the election on March 13, 2013. Acosta gives the following counsel: “[T]he circumstances in which Benedict XVI’s ‘resignation’ from and Bergoglio’s ‘election’ to the office of the Roman Pontiff took place were… not adjusted to the requirements of juridical validity demanded by canon law” (p. 27). The study of canon law shows two things: that the speech on February 11, 2013, is “null” (p. 77) and that the Cardinal’s election on March 13, 2013, is “invalid” (p. 150). Further, Acosta writes, “[T]he act performed by Pope Benedict XVI on February 11, 2013 did not exist at all for canon law” (p. 55). Further, according to Acosta, “[T]he Apostolic Constitution ‘Universi Dominici Gregis’ affected the Cardinal’s election in the 2013 conclave” and gave the election “nullity” (p. 157). Thus, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022, because a competent canon lawyer, Estefania Acosta, concluded that Benedict XVI’s speech on February 11, 2013, was “null” (p. 77) and that the Cardinal’s election on March 13, 2013, had “nullity” (p. 157) which makes it “invalid” (p. 150).
“Induction” is defined as “a conclusion arrived at by reasoning from particulars to generals, or from the individual to the universal” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 1154). Reading the confused speeches and watching the suspicious actions by the Cardinal’s in Rome since the election on March 13, 2013, leads a person to the conclude by induction that something is wrong with the papacy. Acosta writes, “[T]he anti-Christian winds… have been deployed from the top ecclesiastical hierarchies” (p. 91). Now we know why there are anti-Christian winds in the Church. The defective election on March 13, 2013, promoted a corrupt winner who spreads confusion and triggers suspicion. Plus, corrupt leaders in the “St. Gallen group” (p. 131) used an invalid election to force their way into positions in the Church hierarchy. As a result, supporting the suspicious election on March 13, 2013, is impossible. Acosta writes, “[T]he task of those who insist on convincing us that [Bergoglio] is a legitimate pope becomes more and more Herculean” and difficult (p. 17). Thus, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022, because Benedict XVI gave logical speeches and performed ethical actions while some Cardinals delivered confusing speeches and completed unethical activities.
“History” is defined as “a systematic written account comprising a chronological record of events” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 1073). Pope Benedict XVI uses history to show a chronological record between Pope Pius XII’s prepared speech in 1943 and Pope Benedict XVI’s speech on February 11, 2013. Pope Benedict XVI said, “As you know, Pius XII had prepared a declaration in case the Nazis were to arrest him, that from the moment of the arrest he would no longer be pope but once again cardinal” (p. 70). Just as Pope Pius XII was pressured by the Nazi’s to make a declaration in 1943 after being threatened by a concentration camp, so, too, Pope Benedict XVI was pressured to make the speech on February 11, 2013, after being threatened by financial bankruptcy. Further, Pope Benedict XVI writes, “There is not the slightest doubt about the validity of my resignation from the Petrine ministry” (p. 70). There is no doubt that Benedict XVI decreased his ministry. Canon law makes it clear that Benedict XVI simply resigned from some of the activities of the “Petrine ministry,” such as “agendo, loquendo” (p. 55), governing and preaching. Further, canon law makes it clear that Benedict XVI did not resign “from the office of the Roman Pontiff” (p. 45) and did not resign from some activities of the Petrine ministry, such as “patiendo, orando” (p. 55), prayer and suffering. That Pope Benedict XVI was threatened with financial bankruptcy is proved by the fact that “the international monetary transactions with the Vatican were resumed on February 12, 2013, a day after Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation” (p. 89) Consequently, both popes prepared a speech in response to political forces. Pope Pius XII was threatened by Germany’s Nazis and Pope Benedict XVI was bullied by the St. Gallen group. Thus, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022, because Benedict XVI was historically similar to Pope Pius XII who preserved the power and “munus” of the Supreme Pastor by suffering and praying in 1943.
“Analogy” is defined as “the inference that if two things agree with one another in one or more respects they will probably agree in yet other respects” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. p. 77). According to Acosta, the marriage covenant is an analogy of the office of the Pontiff in three ways. First, the marriage covenant, according to Canon Law 1057.1, depends upon “the consent of the parties.” Similarly, the office of the Pontiff, according to Canon Law 332.1, depends upon the “acceptance” and consent of the person elected. Second, the marriage covenant, according to Canon Law 1099, is durable so that “error does not vitiate the matrimonial consent.” Similarly, the papal office, according to Pope Lucius II (1097-1185), is durable so that “bad Latinity” and errors with the Latin language does not vitiate the acceptance of the office of the Pontiff. Third, the marriage covenant, according to Canon Law 1098, is “gravely disturbed” by deception and “malice” in the person entering the marriage “invalidly.” So, too, the papal Office is gravely disturbed by the deception and malice in the person entering the papal Office by means of the invalid election on March 13, 2013. Thus, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022, because Benedict XVI held the office of the Roman pontiff that is similar to the marriage covenant. His office was durable and survived legal errors. Further, his office was capable of clearing out the suspicious, malice and deception from the Cardinal’s election on March 13, 2013.
“Sign” is defined as “a unit of language that means, stands for, designates, or denotes something to an interpreter” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 2114). Six signs denote and signify that Benedict XVI is the authentic Pope in Rome. First, Benedict XVI authorizes his letters “with the initials “P.P” and the abbreviation for ‘Pastor of Pastors’” (p. 62). On the contrary, Bergoglio signs his letters “with the simple term ‘Francis’” (p. 25.) Second, Benedict XVI continues to perform the activities of the “Petrine ministry” and quietly “suffers without ceasing… in the Mater Ecclesia” house (p. 25). On the contrary, Bergoglio loudly “acts and speaks… in the Domus Sanctae Marthae” (p. 25). Thirdly, the 2005 conclave elected Pope Benedict XVI and inspires trust and confidence. On the contrary, the 2013 conclave triggers distrust and suspicion. Acosta writes, “[E]verything that concern's Francis’ ‘election’ is per se symptomatic that ‘something is not right’ in the Chair of Peter” (p. 32). Fourth, Benedict XVI continues to perform the activities of the “Petrine ministry,” such as “agendo, loquendo,” by making seven public statements between February 11, 2013 and March 12, 2020. Acosta writes, “Benedict seems to denounce the coexistence of two Churches: true the one and false the other” (p. 65). Fifth, Benedict XVI “still makes himself to be called ‘His Holiness,’ still clothes as Pope and continues to reside in the Vatican” (p. 70, also p. 93). Acosta writes, “[P]erhaps Benedict XVI himself wanted to send a message to the world… about errors… in the act of resignation, so that they were deeply examined” (p. 83). Thankfully, Acosta got the message from the Pope about his status and thoroughly investigated both the speech on February 11, 2013, and the election on March 13, 2013.
“Motive” is defined as “the consideration or object influencing a choice or prompting an action” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 1475). Duty is the motive prompting an investigation of the speech on February 11, 2013, and the election on March 13, 2013. Acosta writes, “[I]t is a Christian duty to ask oneself, and try to answer, honestly and responsibly, what the real status of Benedict XVI in the Catholic Church is” (p. 27). Every Catholic has the responsibility of learning about the authentic Pope in Rome. Further, the motive for the speech on February 11, 2013, was reasonable, since Benedict XVI was prepared to preserve the supreme authority in the Church. Further, the motive for conducting the election on March 13, 2013, was not reasonable, since six canon laws were broken, such as “Universe Dominici Gregis” (1996), numbers 63, 65, 68, 69, 76, and 81 (p. 159). Further, the motive for conducting the election on March 13, 2013, was force, since the members of the St. Gallen group forced other Cardinals to vote for Bergoglio. Acosta writes, “[A]mong the members of the St. Gallen group, pacts or agreements and promises that directed their votes toward Bergoglio were indeed gestated” and pushed (p. 138). Thus, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022, because Benedict XVI gave a reasonable speech on February 11, 2013 and the Cardinals completed an invalid and forced election on March 13, 2013.
“Passion” is defined as “an emotion as distinguished from reason” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 1651). Love, hope and sadness are passions triggered by the investigation of the speech on February 11, 2013 and the election on March 13, 2013. Love is felt when acknowledging that the love of the Lord requires “the subjection to the Supreme Pontiff” (p. 27). Thus, discovering the authentic Pope in Rome will increase a person’s love of the Lord. Further, hope is triggered when trying to figure out who is the authentic Pope in Rome. Acosta writes how she will investigate the status of the Pope in Rome “with equanimity” and with the hope “of obtaining an answer that… may overcome all the reasonable doubts” (p. 26). Further, hope is activated by the present investigation which seeks to decrease suspicion According to Acosta, examining the speech on February 11, 2013, and the election on March 13, 2013, will decrease confusion, “at least from a juridical and political point of view” and will “stop the process of destruction of the Church developed by the false hierarchy” (p. 198). Further, sadness is felt when acknowledging how the defective speech on February 11, 2013, continues the Pope’s “martyrdom by remaining in the Vatican surrounded by ‘wolves’” (p. 198). Acosta quotes one person who is very familiar with the authentic Pope in Rome. She said, “How sad it was seeing the Pope in this position!” (p. 260). Further, sadness is triggered when acknowledging how some leaders in the Church are not ethical, do not care about canon law, ignore grammatical errors and are not in “communion with the members of the Church” (p. 27). Thus, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022, because Benedict XVI inspired love for the Lord, gives hope when examining his speech on February 11, 2013, decreased confusion, and triggered sadness in many Catholics when learning about Benedict XVI’s martyrdom and triggered sadness when acknowledging how some Cardinals are not in “communion with the members of the Church” (p. 27).
“Statistic” is defined as “a quantity that describes a sample and is thus an estimate of a parameter of the population” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 2230). 100% is the statistic involved in Acosta’s investigation, since every Catholic is curious about the authentic Pope in Rome. Acosta writes, “[F]acing and dealing with the possibility that appearances around a certain situation may [be] separate from reality, constitutes a real drama for any Catholic” (p. 26). All Catholics need to discover who is the authentic Pope in Rome, since subjection to the Pope is a requirement to get into heaven. According to the Catholic Catechism (1994), “it is impossible to please” (no. 848) the Lord without believing that He rules the Church “through the Supreme Pontiff” (no. 837). Thus, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022, because everyone wants to know who is the Pope in Rome and, thankfully, Benedict XVI was the one.
I shall now use my freedom to review the investigation above. Hmm… All the reasons look good. I shall now use my freedom to make a choice. I have decided that I prefer the the principal agent cause and the history. I shall now use my freedom to make an enthymeme. Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022, because the Lord “will come to the aid of His Church,” and because Benedict XVI was pressured to make an invalid speech on February 11, 2013, just as Pius XII was pressured to make a weak declaration in 1943. Thankfully, Pope Benedict XVI gave a defective speech in 2013 and continued his papal ministries of “patiendo, orando” (p. 55), prayer and suffering after the fake conclave of 2013.
The first objection to the investigation above is to state that Benedict XVI was not the authentic Pope in Rome after 2013, because Benedict XVI resigned and voluntarily left the ministry of St. Peter in his speech on February 11, 2013. After all, Benedict XVI said, “[D]eclaro me ministerio Episcopi Romae, Successoris Sancti Petri, mihi per manus Cartinalium die 19 aprilis MMV commissio renuntiuare.”– “I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005.” The response to the first objection is to refer to Acosta’s thorough examination. She writes, “[I]n no way can its meaning [“munus” – office] be equated to “ministerium” – ministry” (p. 52). Thus, Pope Benedict XVI did not resign from the “munus” and office of St. Peter.
The second objection states that Benedict XVI was not the authentic Pope in Rome after 2013, because the conclave of 2013 followed the rules accurately. The response to the second objection is to state that the conclave of 2013 did not follow the rules accurately and broke the six canon laws in “Universe Dominici Gregis” (1996), numbers 63, 65, 68, 69, 76, and 81 (p. 159).
Ethical Analysis
“Personality” is defined as “the qualities of a person that constitute or fix his legal status or general legal capacity” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 1687). Modernist is the quality of Bergoglio's personality that constitutes his status in Rome. According to Acosta, the purpose of the election on March 13, 2013 was “to make the Church much more modern” (p. 111). According to Pope Pius X, “We allude, Venerable Brethren, to many who belong to the Catholic laity, nay, and this is far more lamentable, to the ranks of the priesthood itself, who, feigning a love for the Church, lacking the firm protection of philosophy and theology, nay more, thoroughly imbued with the poisonous doctrines taught by the enemies of the Church, and lost to all sense of modesty, vaunt themselves as reformers of the Church” (“Pascendi Dominici Gregis,” 1907, paragraph 2). The quality “modernist” belongs to the person who is not logical, does not care about grammatical errors, is not ethical, does not care about canon law, is not subject to the authentic Pope in Rome but remains in the Catholic Church. Thus, Bergoglio is not qualified to be the Pope in Rome and not capable of ministry of St. Peter. As a result, “modernist” is the term that accurately describes every person who concludes that Bergoglio is the Pope in Rome. Thankfully, by means of the speech on February 11, 2013, Pope Benedict XVI gives us a clear view of the quantity and quality of modernists in the Church. Yes, there are numerous Modernists working in the Catholic Church and they are defeated by Catholic doctrine and Church morals. Therefore, because Benedict XVI was not a modernist and was not disqualified to hold office, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022.
“Conscience” is defined as “the sense of right or wrong within an individual” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 482). Further, “right” is defined as “agreeable to a standard or principle” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 1955). An ethical person with a strong conscience will be disturbed when he investigates the speech on February 11, 2013, and notices the numerous errors in the Latin grammar. Further, an ethical person with a healthy sense of right and wrong will become distressed when he examines the election on March 13, 2013, and counts the six broken principles in the Apostolic Constitution ‘Universi Dominici Gregis.’ Further, Acosta asks, “What about the complaints that Cardinal Burke raised regarding the possible nullity of the 2013 conclave in view of the alleged existence of the ‘St. Gallen Mafia’?” (156) An ethical person with a clear conscience will become interested in Cardinal Burke’s expert views about the speech on February 11, 2013, and the election on March 13, 2013. Burke sensed that something was wrong when he observed the sloppy Latin the the speech and learned how some Cardinals felt pressured to vote in the election. Thus, Benedict XVI’s authenticity preserved a clean conscience, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022.
“Continence” is defined as “self-restraint from yielding to impulse or desire” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 492). All Church leaders should be continent and restrain themselves from the impulse to break laws. And no Church leader who breaks canon laws is continent. Acosta writes, “Naturally, the mere fact the Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation from the charge of Roman Pontiff had not existed, ipso facto, renders Bergoglio’s election to the same office invalid” (p. 168). Therefore, because the lack of continence and lack of restraint by the Cardinals during the election on March 13, 2013, brought about an empty result, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022.
“Memory” is defined as “the power or process of reproducing or recalling what has been learned and retained” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 1409). The person who wonders whether Benedict XVI is the authentic Pope in Rome needs to remember that during the election on March 13, 2013, some Cardinals cancelled the successful fourth vote and broke canon law, number 68, in the apostolic constitution “Universi Dominici Gregis.” According to “Universi Dominici Gregis,” “If the election had been carried out in a way other than that established by this Constitution…, the election is therefore null and invalid” (1996: number 76). Acosta writes, “And this… is enough to annul the election resulting from the conclave” in 2013 (p. 150). Therefore, because law number 68 in “Universi Dominici Gregis” was broken, and because law number 76 in “Universi Dominici Gregis” remains solid, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022.
“Necessity” is defined as “a condition arising out of circumstances that compels to a certain course of action” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 1511). The defective condition of the Latin in the speech on February 11, 2013, necessarily compels an observer to conclude that the speech must be invalid. Similarly, the lawbreaking circumstances of the election on March 13, 2013, necessarily compels an observer to state that the election is annulled. Acosta writes that Bergoglio “is not a validly elected Pope” (p. 210). Therefore, because the speech on February 11, 2013, must be invalid and cancelled, and because the election on March 13, 2013 must be annulled and reversed, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022.
“Possible” is defined as “being within or up to the limits of one's ability or capacity as determined by nature, authority, or circumstances” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 1771). That Bergoglio is capable of having a leadership position in the Catholic Church is not possible. Having an ecclesial office is beyond the limits of Bergoglio’s ability and outside the capacity his circumstances. According to Canon Law, no. 149, “To be promoted to an ecclesiastical office, a person must be in the communion of the Church.” But Bergoglio cannot be in the communion of the Church. Acosta writes, Bergoglio “was not fully adhered to the Catholic Church at the time he was elected ‘pope,’ and, therefore, [the March 13, 2013,] election could not be valid” (p. 108). Therefore, since it was not possible for Bergoglio to hold an ecclesial office, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022.
“Learning” is defined as “knowledge or skill acquired by instruction or study” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 1286). The skills used by Acosta to examine the speech on February 11, 2013 and the election on March 13, 2013 allows the reader to learn about the rules that were broken. I shall review eight of the broken rules.
First, broken is the rule from Pope Lucius III (1097-1185) which states, “Bad Latinity vitiates a rescript of the pope.” The speech on February 11, 2013 has defective Latin and leads an ethical person to conclude that Pope BenedictXVI’s speech is vitiated, demolished and cancelled. There are many errors in Latin in the speech, such as “hour 29” and “pro Ecclesiae vitae.” Obviously, a day only has twenty four hours and the term “pro” deserves the ablative “vita” with an “a” and no the “ae” as in the speech. Acosta writes, “[P]erhaps Pope Benedict XVI himself wanted to send a message to the world” (p. 83). Consequently, because the rule from Pope Lucius III makes it impossible to accept the speech on February 11, 2013, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022.
Further, broken is the rule from canon law, number 149 which states, “To be promoted to an ecclesiastical office, a person must be in the communion of the Church.” However, Bergoglio is not a person in the communion of the Church. Acosta writes that Bergoglio “was not, at the time of his election [on March 13, 2013,], in full communion with the Church” (p. 101). Consequently, because canon law, number 149, makes it impossible for Bergoglio to be promoted to an ecclesiastical office, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022.
Further, broken is the rule from the “Declaration on Masonic Associations” (1983) which states, “The faithful who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion.” However, Bergoglio is associated with the Masons. Acosta writes that after the election on March 13, 2013, Bergoglio was called a “compatriot” and then was congratulated by “the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons from Argentina” (p. 103). Consequently, because the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith makes it impossible for Bergoglio to receive Holy Communion, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022.
Further, broken is the rule from canon law, number 751, which states, “Heresy is the obstinate denial or obstinate doubt after the reception of baptism of some truth which is to be believed by divine and Catholic faith.” However, Bergoglio is obstinate and enjoys being correct about his rejection of Catholic doctrine. Acosta relates how Bergoglio does “not try to defend the rules of the Church” (107). Consequently, because Canon Law, number 751, makes it impossible for Bergoglio to promote the divine faith, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022.
Further, broken is the rule from “Universi Dominici Gregis,” number 63, which states, “Should the election begin on the afternoon of the first day, only one ballot is to be held; then, on the following days, if no one was elected on the first ballot, two ballots shall be held in the morning and two in the afternoon.” However, the election on March 13, 2013, had three votes in the afternoon. Acosta writes, “The infraction thus committed constituted a non-remedial (and obviously not remedied) vice of nullity” (162). Consequently, because “Universi Dominici Gregis,” number 63, makes it impossible to accept the election on March 13, 2013, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022.
Further, broken is the rule from “Universi Dominici Gregis,” number 65, which states, “He will then fold the ballot twice.” However, some ballots were not folded twice which allowed the scrutineer to observe how one ballot was blank. Acosta writes, “If they are folded twice in half, and also adhered, their content will be necessarily occult” (p. 146). Consequently, because “Universi Dominici Gregis,” number 65, was not followed during the election on March 13, 2013, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022.
Further, broken is the rule in from “Universi Dominici Gregis,” number 68, which states, “After all the ballots of the Cardinal electors have been placed in the receptacle, the first Scrutineer shakes it several times in order to mix them, and immediately afterwards the last Scrutineer proceeds to count them, picking them out of the urn in full view and placing them in another empty receptacle previously prepared for this purpose.” However, the first Scrutineer unethically pretended to be the last Scrutineer and counted the ballots. Acosta writes, “In principle,… what happened on March 13, 2013, is anti-canonical” (p. 158). Consequently, because “Universi Dominici Gregis,” number 68, makes it impossible to acknowledge the election on March 13, 2013, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022.
Further, broken is the rule from “Universi Dominici Gregis,” number 76, which states, “Should the election take place in a way other than that prescribed in the present Constitution, or should the conditions laid down here not be observed, the election is for this very reason null and void, without any need for a declaration on the matter.” However, the election on March 13, 2013, did in fact “take place in a way other than that prescribed in the present Constitution.” Acosta writes, “[T]his, in turn, is enough to annul the election resulting from the conclave” (p. 150). Consequently, because “Universi Dominici Gregis,” number 76, makes it impossible to allow the election on March 13, 2013, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022.
Further, broken is the rule from “Universi Dominici Gregis,” number 81, which states, “The Cardinal electors shall further abstain from any form of pact, agreement, promise or other commitment of any kind which could oblige them to give or deny their vote to a person or persons.” However, some Cardinal electors did not abstain from forming pacts, lacked continence and failed to restrain their desires to make promises. Acosta writes that “in the 2013 conclave” some cardinals “developed a strategy in which real blocks of cardinals who compromised their votes in favor of Bergoglio were formed.” (p. 141). Consequently, because “Universi Dominici Gregis,” number 81 makes it impossible to approve the election on March 13, 2013, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022. In summary, Acosta writes, “It can be affirmed that there are not sufficient canonical reasons to undermine the sanction of nullity that… affected the election in the 2013 conclave” (p. 157).
“Conjecture” is defined as “an inference or conclusion drawn or deduced by surmise or guesswork” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 479). My inference drawn and surmise by Acosta’s investigation is that Pope Benedict XVI was correct when he writes, “the Lord will come to the aid of His Church” (p. 72.) We must love the Lord and trust Him. He will take action. He will do something. Just watch.
“Reason” is defined as “a sufficient ground of explanation or of logical defense” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 1891). It is reasonable to conclude that Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022, because the Lord “will come to the aid of His Church” (p. 72), and because eight rules were broken during the election on March 13, 2013, from Pope Lucius III, in Canon law, numbers 149 and 751, from “Declaration on Masonic Associations”, and in “Universe Dominici Gregis” (1996), numbers 63, 65, 68, 76, and 81 (p. 159).
“Foresight” is defined as an “action in reference to the future” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 890). Pope Benedict XVI composed his speech on February 11, 2013, with great foresight and planning. He wrote his speech in reference to the future where the Rock of St. Peter remains solid in Rome while the winds of failed heresies blow through the halls of the Vatican. According to Acosta, the speech on February 11, 2013, allowed Pope Benedict XVI “to stop the process of destruction of the Church developed by the false hierarchy” (p. 198). Therefore, because he found a way to preserve the supreme authority in the Church while surrounded by people who wish to destroy papal power, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022.
“Circumspection” is defined as “marked by caution and earnest attention to all significant circumstances and possible consequences of action” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 410). Pope Benedict XVI looked around the Vatican and saw assisting agents infected with heresy and instrumental agents spoiled by wealth. He found the best “possible consequences of action” and delivered the speech on February 11, 2013 in order to preserve the supreme power. Acosta writes that “some of the circumstances… did make [it] clear for Benedict that he was surrounded by opponents, even among the clergy” (p. 93). Consequently, because Benedict XVI is an ethical person with circumspection who preserved the “munus” and office of the Supreme Pastor, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022.
“Caution” is defined as “heedful prudent forethought to minimize risk or danger” (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1966: p. 356). The dangers of “threats of schism and economic pressures” moved Pope Benedicts XVI to be cautious and to find a way to minimize the risks and dangers of schism (p. 93). Acosta writes, “Under such as situation, it was therefore logical that the Pope expressed himself cautiously and in a somewhat ‘coded’ language” (p. 93). Caution motivated him to deliver the speech on February 11, 2013 with errors in Latin which made the speech unacceptable in terms of canon law. Thus, because Benedict XVI is an ethical person with caution who found a way to preserve the apostolic Church, Benedict XVI was the authentic Pope in Rome until 2022.
Final remarks. I am very thankful to the Lord for the gifts and talents of Ms. Acosta. She correctly observes we feel sad when we acknowledge that some leaders in the Church are not ethical, do not care about canon law, ignore grammatical errors and are not in “communion with the members of the Church” (p. 27).
© By Theodore Faulders, June 9, 2021.