The priest of the Archdiocese of Toledo Gabriel Calvo Zarraute has confessed that he prays "a lot" so that Pope Francis "can go to heaven as soon as possible." The priest made these statements during his participation in the 'Counterrevolutionary priestly gathering' that was broadcast on February 22 on YouTube.
"That is one of the things that can be asked of anyone," responded the moderator of the meeting Francisco J. Delgado, also a priest from Toledo, to these controversial words. The wish that Pope Francis die was shared by the American priest Charles Murr, who noted that he also joined Father Gabriel's prayers for the Holy Father. "There are many of us with that intention," priest Gabriel Calvo Zarraute then responded. The moderator took the floor again to say: "Well, let's see if we pray harder."
At these words, the rest of the priests Rodrigo Menéndez Pinar, from Toledo; Juan Manuel Góngora, priest of the diocese of Almería; Roylán Recio, from the diocese of Colorado Springs (United States), and Juan Razo, from the diocese of Saltillo (Mexico) smiled.
What's more, Father Juan Razo, after sending greetings from Mexico, joined the prayers of the Holy Father on this feast of the Chair of Saint Peter. "I'm like Father Murr. A-T-M. Full steam ahead, right, Father?" "At full speed, exactly," he replied.
Subsequently, in a series of messages published on social networks, the priestly gathering apologized for the unfortunate comment, "said in a humorous tone," they stressed, about "praying that the Pope goes to Heaven as soon as possible." "It is a comment in bad taste and, although it does not express wishes for the death of the Pope, as some media have maliciously spread, we understand that it can be understood that way," they noted.
"We reject the attacks against the Pope and the unity of the Church and those who deny the legitimacy of the Pope's ministry," he defended, while pointing out that it pains them "to have been able to confuse the simple souls who find themselves in our formation program." and comfort." "Many recognize our important role in their perseverance in the Catholic faith and we are concerned that we may have caused confusion or scandal in their souls," he wrote in our entire message, even though we have been the ones who have given them the opportunity to do so. May God forgive them," he accused.
Finally, the gathering regretted "the problems caused to our respective bishoprics due to the arrival of protests coordinated by our actions." "It would not be bad if those who appreciate our work expressed, if they see fit, their support," he concluded.
The online gathering where these controversial statements occurred took place on February 22, the feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, where the convenience of giving communion in the hand was discussed.
