“Francis’ critics are well aware that previous popes have taken steps to stifle dissenting theologians, to the applause of trad Catholics.”

The heat that a group of conservative academics generated by publicly accusing Pope Francis of heresy this summer in a letter they released on September 23 is warming up the Catholic environment for dissent.

And in the end, the pope’s patience with critics like these could do a lot to reform the culture of the church. It is one more way Francis is sculpting the church that the Second Vatican Council envisioned.

More:  – La Croix International