The Church has never taught that the popes may not have temporal power too, and has taken actions in the past that would imply that it is perfectly compatible with the office.
Maybe you could expand on what you mean by ecclesiastical prerogatives? I have often wished the modern popes would exercise their prerogatives to discipline those in his flock who he speaks out against in encyclicals and sermons. Its like they think they are the “Holy Advisers” instead of Holy Fathers. Here we live in a world of instant communication with a monarchical hierarchy pertfectly established by Christ for needed reforms and actions, and yet, the modern popes give an appearance of being hog-tied, at least I hear all the time how the pope would like to do this and like to do that but he can’t. Why not?
Why not? I am a father. Am I going to be able to claim on the day of judgment that I wanted to discipline my child but couldn’t? No. I have the authority and I have to have the courage to exercise it, wisely, lovingly, and prudently. I think the popes have authority that they have ceded to others. I see them like a parent entrusting their child to the public schools, and then hoping to be blameless when the children emerge uneducated, faithless, and social misfits. No. I needed the courage to not be cowed into doing what everybody else does. We homeschooled. We have been since 1987 and our last one looks like he is heading to a Traditional seminary next year. But when it comes to Catholic education, the bishops and pope act like they believe in separation of church and academics. Whose in charge? Not Barack Obama. Not the educators. Its somebody’s fault.
I toot my horn and preach. I could tell where I have failed too. But it is/was MY fault. I lacked courage and lacked charity when I failed. I’ll have to answer for that someday too. Hopefully I can do penance. In any case, we need priests and popes of courage and charity and parents with courage to use their God-given authority to do things that the world despises! If that is Ultramontanism, I’m on board too.
Rory
PS: There are circumstances where the only option for various reasons might be to use public schooling. Sure. I don’t even want the discussion to go that way. Just anticipating the storm. Parents have the authority. No matter what we do, we have to be overseers.
