Anonymous Cardinal “Demos II” Issues Bold Vision for Church’s Future, Critiques Pope Francis

An anonymous cardinal, adopting the moniker “Demos II,” has released a document critiquing Pope Francis’ leadership and outlining a bold vision for the future of the Catholic Church.

This document, titled “The Vatican Tomorrow,” was disseminated in six languages via the Italian website “Bussola Quotidiana,” igniting discussions across Catholic communities worldwide.

“Demos II” praises Pope Francis for his compassion towards the disenfranchised and his environmental advocacy but is critical of what he perceives as the pontiff’s “autocratic” governance and “ambiguity in matters of faith and morals.” The anonymous cardinal argues, “Confusion breeds division and conflict, undermining confidence in the Word of God.”

The document proposes seven areas of focus for the next pope, emphasizing a return to doctrinal clarity and the importance of church law. “The Church is a community not just of Word and sacrament, but also of creed,” Demos II says, highlighting the need for unambiguous teachings.

Among the recommendations, the need for a pope who engages deeply with the challenges facing the church in Europe and the Vatican’s own bureaucracy stands out. “These are not small things,” the cardinal notes, pointing to the necessity of direct papal involvement in reform.

The anonymity of “Demos II” is attributed to the current Vatican climate, where “candor is not welcome.”

This document follows in the footsteps of a similar critique published in 2022 by the late Cardinal George Pell, known as “Demos.”

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