Yes, that’s it. It is the existing cliques in power that are the problem - this kind of thing is so institutionalized. This is how the Church works. How much knowledge or control can a Pope reasonably have; who can he trust? Especially if the Pope himself is engaged in the debate- emphatically holds a certain ideological view, and has an authoritarian streak. Only tolerates those who agree with him.
Isolation would be a problem - this could ironically also be some of what happened to Pope Benedict. He realized he was simply not able to implement the necessary reforms. And now it has all gone completely in the liberal direction, quite haphazardly. Innovation for lack of a better word is just bubbling up here and there - with orthodox ‘conservatives’ now the outcasts, threatened at every turn. This is perhaps in many ways more a return to the pre John Paul II era in terms of ideology. Post Vatican II years.
I think most of what the Cardinal alleges here is the truth - I am glad he is still around and has the courage to say it. And to call this ‘climate of fear’ behavior Christian to me is just beyond the pale. Beggars belief. It is the stuff of anti-Catholic stereotypes that have been around for centuries.
