Loyal Opposition

John Allen in his post (July 17, 2022) in CRUX Now website and in his YouTube channel talked about the absence of the “loyal opposition” in the choice of appointments of Pope Francis to the College of Cardinals.

He recalled how Pope John Paul II appointed men to become cardinals even if these figures are not in agreement with the theological and pastoral orientation of Pope John Paul II.

Allen contends that the striking thing is that if we will ask if there are any cardinals appointed by Pope Francis who can represent the “loyal opposition?”

We may be hard-pressed to find any.

Allen explained that this may be so because Pope Francis appointed cardinals from the “periphery” so these newly appointed cardinals are basically “unknown.”

There might be among the cardinals appointed by Pope Francis who might emerged as part of the "loyal opposition."

However, as of now they were so "unknown" since they are not bishops who are known or familiar in the world stage.

He also proposed that Pope John Paul II is extremely lucky historically speaking because during his years there were many church leaders who emerged from the Second Vatican Council.

John Paul has plenty of intellectual stars to choose from and to appoint as cardinals during his time.

Towering among these "loyal opposition" Cardinals appointed by John Paul II is Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini who opposes John Paul II and Benedict XVI theological directions on the world stage.

Despite their opposing views John Paul II did not hesitate to create them as part of the College of Cardinals who are primarily the Pope's consultants on important matters pertaining to the Church.

This article by Allen brought me to reflection.

Are those in power still capable of accommodating "loyal opposition?"

Are those in the leadership roles still a representative group of the diversity of opinions among the people it represents?

Or are they just forming "super majorities" whose opinions are mere "echo chambers" of those who are in power?

Can we find men of "loyal opposition" appointed by leaders to give them a balance point of view or are they just the "king's men" who are there ready to assent to whatever those in power wants?

Or is this already the trend? Just take a look at the Senate of Philippine Republic.

A "super majority" of twenty (20) senators are pro-PBBM while only two (2) senators are in the minority while the Cayetano siblings represents "independent" block in the Senate.