Head of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, taints traditionalists as "extreme right wingers" and says they violate the Commandment against bearing false witness

Víctor Manuel Fernández: "The Pope will not go where his visit can be used (or complicated) for political convenience or where the authorities despise his presence"

"The extreme right forgets that there is a commandment even more important than the sixth (because it affects justice and charity) which asks not to bear false testimony or lie"

"I have several other texts from years ago that could be considered much more 'dangerous' from a theological point of view and yet you have not even seen them. Maybe I am wrong to mention it, but it is the truth"

"There will undoubtedly be some changes in the procedures, which I have already discussed with the superiors of the Dicastery and with the Pope"

"I have been living in the Vatican for a month now and so far I have found two different attitudes: affection or respect. It's not bad for now"

The Argentine theologian Víctor Manuel (Tucho) Fernández began his work as president of the Dicastery of Doctrine of the Faith on the 11th. "In the Vatican and until now I have found two different attitudes: affection or respect. It's not bad for now," he says in an exclusive interview with Religion Digital. And his appointment provoked a wave of attacks. According to him, they were attacked, "predictable" and "partly directed at Francis" by an extreme right that forgets the commandment that asks "not to bear false testimony or lie."

In his opinion, traditionalists, "because they enter into a power struggle, make use of everything in the attempt to denigrate." And the worst thing they found on his resume was a youth book about kissing. And the cardinal-elect confesses: "I have several other texts from years ago that could be considered much more "dangerous" from the theological point of view, and even some that are "on the edge", close to crossing the line, and yet neither "They haven't even seen them. Maybe I'm wrong to mention it, but it's the truth."

Once the waters have calmed, what conclusions do you draw from the attacks received after his appointment?

The attacks were completely foreseeable, and given the importance of the position, they are partly directed at Francisco. On the one hand there are those who come from traditionalist sectors, who consider me dangerous for doctrine, but in this case it is not only a question of doctrine but also of power in the Church. These are the most numerous attacks, which continue, although I have the impression that it is becoming boring to talk about me. On the other hand, less frequent, are the attacks that come from an extreme left, which does not allow itself to be captivated by Francisco because he considers that we are all the same garbage, and does not care about saying things without much basis. But it happens that some traditionalist sectors, precisely because they enter into a power struggle, make use of everything, wherever it comes from, in the attempt to denigrate.

In this case, the extreme right shows little care for the Divine commandments, because they forget that there is a commandment even more important than the Sixth (because it affects justice and charity) which asks not to bear false testimony or lie. 

Cathcon:  The Sixth is Thou shalt not kill.   The Ninth is Thou shalt not bear false witness.  He thinks lying is worse than killing, it seems.

Some people don't seem to be able to assimilate that a Latin American is prefect of the Doctrine of the Faith?

That is part of the misery of the world and it happens everywhere. In fact, there are supposedly cultured Argentines who despise other Latin Americans, there are Chileans who despise Bolivians, there are Colombians who despise Venezuelans. It is something typical of human fragility, which makes us think that because we have some knowledge, title, or a certain origin, we occupy a place of higher category while others are placed below and do not have the right to access "our" places of power or opinion.

The only 'disqualification' you found on his resume was the title of one of the books from his youth?

Regarding my publications, it was the most resonant, which on the other hand was not new. They have been using that text as a hobbyhorse for a long time. Curiously, they stayed there, in a striking but innocent text. Because I have several other texts from years ago that could be considered much more theologically "dangerous" and yet you haven't even seen them. Maybe I'm wrong to mention it, but it's the truth. The reason is probably more what I already mentioned: that it is a question of power, which is why what seems most effective is used to make a fool of the other.

How will the new stage in Doctrine of Faith be noted?

There will undoubtedly be some changes in the procedures, which I have already discussed with the superiors of the Dicastery and with the Pope. Always in order to be able to effectively apply what the Holy Father has asked of me in his letter. Nothing revolutionary but practical decisions that I consider very necessary. On Monday I took my oath and gave a speech in the Dicastery to provide a general framework for this new stage. On Tuesday I met only with the Disciplinary Section to explain some news and on Thursday and Friday I will meet at length with the Doctrinal Section of the Dicastery.

Have the condemnations and persecution of theologians ended?

I think that convictions for doctrinal issues in general were already very rare in Cardinal Ladaria's time. My idea is, as the Pope asks me, to talk a lot before starting any process or taking measures. The Holy Father insisted to me: "speak, speak, speak." And always try to detect what valuable concern there may be that invites a new theological development.

Will those persecuted be rehabilitated individually or collectively?

There are issues that can be rethought, although I confess that there are not enough personnel to open too many fronts and do it well. The doctrinal section has somehow been reduced and will have to be strengthened.

How do you expect to be received in the Curia: warmly or with respect?

On Monday the 11th I formally took office as Prefect, I took the corresponding oath and profession of faith and I am already working intensely. On the other hand, I have been living in the Vatican for more than a month and so far I have found two different attitudes: affection or respect. Not bad for now.

Is the Pope accelerating and risking the Synodal process?

Pope Francis has an extraordinary ability to discern times and stages. The rest of us don't understand him either when he speeds up or when he slows down. On the other hand, although he sometimes seems to contradict himself, he has a lot of respect for people and is able to value the positive in everyone. This can sometimes exasperate you, because when you can't stand someone you expect the Pope to mention their flaws, and instead he highlights what that person can contribute.

What can happen in the Church if it fails to get on track and stay on the path of reforms initiated by Francis?

Without a doubt, with the changes that Francis has initiated we will have a while; he has initiated processes that cannot then be stopped abruptly, they will continue their course and bear fruit. We will see what paths these reforms will follow.

Is Argentina still waiting for the Pope, despite Milei?

Surely the Pope will not go to a place where he is not invited, where they can use (or complicate) his visit for political convenience or where the authorities despise his presence.

Cathcon:  That is fortunate because of the legal jeopardy the Pope might be in in Argentina giving his handling of abuse cases.

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