In a July 31, 2017 letter, which the Vatican has confirmed the Pope received, Fr. Weinandy expressed concerns about several aspects of the current pontificate, including the much debated Chapter 8 of Amoris Laetitia, the Holy Father’s apparent low regard for Church doctrine, and the clear sense that “many bishops fear that if they speak their minds about their concerns, they will be marginalized or worse. The text of his letter can be read HERE.

Fr. Weinandy is a highly regarded and accomplished American theologian who is former chief of staff for the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Doctrine and a current member of the Vatican’s International Theological Commission. He is the current President of the Academy of Catholic Theology, and a member of the Catholic Theological Society of America, the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars, the Catholic Theological Society of Great Britain, the North American Patristics Society, and the Association Internationale D’Etudes Patristiques.

Fr. Weinandy formerly served as Executive Director of the Secretariat for Doctrine and Pastoral Practices of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops from 2005 until 2013. In 2014, Weinandy was named to the International Theological Commission, the main advisory body to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, by Francis, who also gave him the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal in recognition of service to the Church in 2013.

In a July 31, 2017 letter, which the Vatican has confirmed the Pope received, Weinandy expressed concerns about several aspects of the current pontificate, including the much debated Chapter 8 of Amoris Laetitia, the Holy Father’s apparent low regard for Church doctrine, and the clear sense that “many bishops fear that if they speak their minds about their concerns, they will be marginalized or worse. The text of his letter can be read HERE.

Before sending his letter, Fr. Weinandy prayerfully asked Our Lord for guidance in regard to how to move forward, which he says that he received, and which led him to submit the letter to Pope Francis.

Fr. Weinandy has disclosed that since the letter’s publication, he has received many positive and encouraging notes from theologians, priests, and lay people. However, the USCCB asked him to resign from his then-current position as consultant to the bishops, and thereafter he submitted his resignation.

In making such a request, some say that the USCCB has only confirmed Fr. Weinandy’s very point about fearfulness and lack of transparency.

Fr. Weinandy discussed all of these matters with us and more at his July 12, 2019 Forum Luncheon address.

Our luncheons are at at 11:45 a.m. at the Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago. Tickets $40. The Union League Club requires business attire.