The House of the Assembly of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem feels compelled to express our grave concerns regarding the appointment of Jorge Mario Bergoglio as pope. While we respect the sovereignty of the Roman Catholic Church and its centuries-old traditions, we believe it is our duty to caution against the potential risks associated with this appointment.
Our concerns stem from the following observations:
The appointment of Bergoglio will, regrettably, show signs of distancing the Roman Catholic Church from its ancient heritage. His liberal perspective and limited engagement with the Traditional Community have raised questions about the Church’s willingness to embrace its ancient roots.
We urge the Vatican to consider the implications of Bergoglio’s near silence on the child sexual abuse scandals within the Roman Catholic Church. It is our belief that a lack of attention to this very serious problem is an indication of complicity.
We believe that Bergoglio’s approach to interfaith dialogue will be nothing less than reckless and will be perceived as dangerous and paganistic.
The Patriarchate of Jerusalem is dedicated to promoting unity, understanding, and spiritual growth throughout the world. While we respect the autonomy of the Roman Catholic Church, we implore its authorities to consider these concerns seriously and engage in open, constructive dialogue with those who have additional information concerning Bergoglio and his background and intentions for the future of the Catholic Church.
— 23 March 2013
