Recent Vatican Appointments Spark Mixed Reactions
Pope Leo XIV has initiated a series of reforms in the Vatican that seem to be causing concern among progressive factions. Among the notable changes is the appointment of a conservative American to the Catholic Church’s highest court—a person known for opposing both the LGBT movement and abortion rights.
Just weeks after the Vatican officially excommunicated members of the Society of St. Pius X, labeling it as a splinter group, the Pope also announced a number of personnel changes.
Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark has chosen not to extend his term. Notably, he has been associated with progressive clergy, working closely with the LGBT community and advocating for immigrant rights. In contrast, Pope Leo XIV recently appointed seven new members to the Supreme Court of the Apostolic Signature.
Two of the new appointments are American bishops: Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone from San Francisco and Bishop Edward Lohse from Kalamazoo, both of whom are linked to Opus Dei, a conservative group within the Church.
These appointments are significant in that they do not necessitate relocating to Rome.
Maggie Gallagher, the executive director of the Benedict XVI Institute of Sacred Music and Worship, which was founded by Archbishop Cordileone, remarked to Blaze News that the Apostolic Signature serves as the Catholic Church’s highest court, unless overridden by the Pope.
She further explained that while the court does not set doctrines, it does make determinations on individual cases—marriage annulments, for instance, and various accusations against judges. Gallagher emphasized that Cordileone’s selection highlights his impressive skill set and leadership ability, reflecting the Pope’s confidence in him.
While this appointment does not imply that Pope Leo agrees with all of Cordileone’s previous stances, it suggests that such views are not fundamentally at odds with the Vatican. This has provided a sense of relief for many traditional Catholics, particularly those who support the Latin Mass.
Archbishop Cordileone, notable for his support from former President Donald Trump, was also appointed last year to the advisory board of the White House Committee on Religious Freedom. He faced criticism from some California progressives for supposedly denying Holy Communion to Representative Nancy Pelosi, a self-identified Catholic within the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
Earlier in May 2022, Cordileone referred to abortion in the U.S. as a “genocide against life in the womb” and publicly addressed his concerns with Pelosi, urging her to stop supporting what he termed the “grave moral evil” of abortion.
“After repeated attempts to explain the gravity of the issue to her, I have decided that she should publicly renounce her support for the ‘right’ to abortion,” he stated.
In interviews, Pelosi has criticized Archbishop Cordileone, claiming that some archbishops have been resistant to LGBTQ rights.
Cordileone remains attentive to not only his own congregational concerns but those of various LGBTQ activist groups as well. He has been both an advocate for traditional Catholic teachings on marriage and has also defended First Amendment rights against the LGBTQ narrative.
In light of the recent divide within the SSPX, Cordileone is calling for greater access to the traditional Latin Mass.
He expressed his gratitude for the new appointment, stating: “This role carries significant responsibility, aimed at serving Christ and His people in accordance with the Gospel.” He highlighted the court’s mission, emphasizing its role in ensuring justice that is aligned with the Church’s overarching goals.
