Francis Gifts McElory Washington DC

Incredible news is breaking in America regarding the replacement for the retiring bishop of Washington, D.C., the capital see of the United States. Cardinal Robert McElroy, a figure who ranks as one of the most openly heterodox bishops in the country, has been chosen for this significant position. This appointment is already generating widespread controversy and dismay among faithful Catholics and clergy.

It is not only my perspective that McElroy's theological views are problematic; several other U.S. bishops share this concern. His appointment as cardinal was surprising in the first place, as he was elevated from the Diocese of San Diego rather than from a more prominent archdiocese such as Los Angeles. Traditionally, archdioceses like Los Angeles, the largest in the United States, are more likely sources for new cardinals. Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, a staunchly orthodox bishop, has been repeatedly overlooked by Pope Francis, further intensifying criticism of McElroy's rise.

Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois, has been notably critical of McElroy's theological positions. While he did not immediately comment on McElroy's appointment as cardinal, Paprocki later wrote a pointed essay in First Things in 2023, indirectly referencing McElroy's views on eucharistic coherence and sexual morality. In his essay, Paprocki suggested that such views could potentially be considered heretical. Although McElroy was not explicitly named, it was evident from the context and quotes that Paprocki was referring to him. This critique highlights the broader concern about the implications of McElroy's statements on Church doctrine.

Bishop Thomas Daly of Spokane also publicly challenged McElroy's stance on abortion during the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Daly took issue with McElroy's guidance to Catholic voters, indicating a significant point of contention. Although Daly's comments did not directly address McElroy's recent appointment, they reveal longstanding disagreements with his views.

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco, while formally congratulating McElroy on his elevation, had a notable public disagreement with him over the issue of denying Holy Communion to pro-abortion politicians, including Nancy Pelosi. This underlying tension underscores broader concerns within the Church about McElroy's theological direction and pastoral approach.

Antonio Spadaro, often referred to as "the Pope's mouthpiece," and the former editor-in-chief of the Jesuit-run journal La Civiltà Cattolica, described McElroy's appointment as "a strong and clear message for the Church in the United States." McElroy's subsequent promotion to Washington, D.C., certainly seems to reinforce that message. However, the implications of this message are deeply troubling for many faithful Catholics.

McElroy has been an advocate for controversial positions, including the ordination of women to the diaconate and a reassessment of sacramental discipline. He has criticized decisions to prohibit figures like Nancy Pelosi from receiving the Eucharist, arguing that such actions "weaponize the Eucharist." He has also insisted that abortion should not be considered the preeminent issue in Catholic social teaching, a stance that many bishops and faithful Catholics find deeply troubling.

In 2019, McElroy openly challenged the U.S. bishops' prioritization of abortion as a preeminent moral issue, stating that this emphasis was "discordant with the Pope's teaching, if not inconsistent." His views have placed him at odds with the majority of American bishops, yet he seems undeterred by this disconnect. On multiple occasions, McElroy has positioned himself as an interpreter of Pope Francis's teachings, often to the frustration of his episcopal peers, who feel equally capable of understanding the Holy Father's direction.

Cardinal McElroy is also a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, particularly regarding immigration policies. During Trump's first term, McElroy called on Catholics to become "disruptors" in response to mass deportation plans, urging them to resist policies that would lead to the separation of families. He has also expressed strong opposition to Trump's environmental policies, aligning with Pope Francis's advocacy for environmental stewardship. McElroy's alignment with the Pope's progressive agenda makes his appointment to Washington, D.C., all the more politically and ecclesiastically significant.

This appointment, coming as it does before the inauguration of a new U.S. president, positions a known critic of Trump's policies in a strategically vital diocese. The political ramifications of this choice cannot be overlooked.

What will be the result of all this? One can only predict further chaos. Pope Francis famously told young people at World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro in 2013 to "make a mess" ("Hagan lío"). He has certainly led by example in this regard, fostering a level of ecclesiastical and theological disorder that has left many faithful Catholics bewildered and disheartened.

The Pope's appointments continue to spotlight controversial figures within the Church, which, while clarifying where the current pontificate stands, is deeply dispiriting for those seeking clarity and orthodoxy. How can Catholic bishops reconcile with a Pope who appears fundamentally at odds with traditional Catholic teaching?

McElroy's continued rise suggests that he is indeed voicing the direction Pope Francis desires for the Church. The trajectory seems clear: it is a move away from the perennial teachings of the Catholic faith, a shift that faithful Catholics will find increasingly difficult to accept.