A Polish priest who said in a homily last month he wished Pope Francis would die an early death has been called to account by his archbishop.
Father Edward Staniek was evidently reacting to Francis’s call for Catholics to take in Muslim refugees because it was their Christian duty.
“I pray for the Pope in his wisdom to open his heart to the Holy Spirit, but if he does not, I pray for his quick departure to his Father’s house,” Staniek is reported to have said.
“I can always ask God for a happy death for him because a happy death is a great grace.”
Staniek went on to say Francis misinterprets the notion of Christian mercy, especially regarding migrants and refugees.
“In the name of mercy, he calls parishes and dioceses to open the door for the followers of Islam.”
Staniek’s homily went on to note what he described as the hostility Islamic faithful have shown to the Church and the Gospel. He also claimed Muslims “murdered millions in religious wars.
“And we Poles, remembering the victory over their armies near Vienna, understand better than others that there is no way to talk about dialogue with them.”
He also said the Pope’s teaching regarding Communion for divorced and remarried Catholics was too vague and was being misconstrued by the media.
Staniek went on to question Francis’s direction and purpose and said Francis is a “foreign body” in the Church.
He suggested Francis does not “listen to Jesus from Mount Tabor, [so] he does not participate in His authority.
“The Church of Christ is not built on power. It is built on authority.
“The one who values power above authority is the foreign body in the Church of Jesus. Let us listen to Jesus, just as His Father on Mount Tabor recommended us.”
After details of the sermon became widespread, Staniek was called to see the Archbishop of Krakow, Marek Jedraszewski.
Although Jedraszewski said he had heard the news about the priest’s comments about Pope Francis with “great pain and regret,” it is not known if Staniek will be punished or sanctioned.
Source