…judges Francis’ idea that the Orthodox are no longer schismatics
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Some carry about the name of Jesus Christ in wicked guile – they are ravening dogs who bite secretly
And indeed Onesimus himself greatly commends your good order in God, that you all live according to the truth, and that no sect has any dwelling-place among you. Nor, indeed, do you hearken to any one rather than to Jesus Christ speaking in truth. For some are in the habit of carrying about the name [of Jesus Christ] in wicked guile, while yet they practise things unworthy of God, whom you must flee as you would wild beasts. For they are ravening dogs, who bite secretly, against whom you must be on your guard, inasmuch as they are men who can scarcely be cured. (Saint Ignatius of Antioch. Epistle to the Ephesians, 6-7)
…judges Francis’ criteria for the nomination of Bishops
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Let all reverence the bishop as Jesus Christ
In like manner, let all reverence the deacons as an appointment of Jesus Christ, and the bishop as Jesus Christ, who is the Son of the Father, and the presbyters as the Sanhedrin of God, and assembly of the apostles (Saint Ignatius of Antioch. Letter to the Trallians, III)
…judges the act of seeking blessings from heretics and schismatics
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Flee as you would from wild beasts from those who carry about the name of Jesus, but practice things unworthy of God
And indeed Onesimus himself greatly commends your good order in God, that ye all live according to the truth, and that no sect has any dwelling-place among you. Nor indeed do ye hearken to any one rather than to Jesus Christ, the true Shepherd and Teacher. […] For some are in the habit of carrying about the name [of Jesus Christ] in wicked guile, while yet they practise things unworthy of God, whom ye must flee as ye would wild beasts. For they are ravening dogs, who bite secretly, against whom ye must be on your guard, inasmuch as they are men who can scarcely be cured. (Saint Ignatius of Antioch. Epistle to the Ephesians, ch. 6-7)
…judges Francis’ idea on the obedience of a Religious
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Be unanimous in obedience in order to be sanctified
It is therefore befitting that you should in every way glorify Jesus Christ, who has glorified you, that by a unanimous obedience you may be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment, and may all speak the same thing concerning the same thing, 1 Corinthians 1:10 and that, being subject to the bishop and the presbytery, you may in all respects be sanctified. (Saint Ignatius of Antioch. Epistle to the Ephesians, no. 2)
…judges Francis’ idea of the Roman Curia
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The Church of Rome exercises the primacy of love
Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church which has obtained mercy, through the majesty of the Most High Father, and Jesus Christ, His only-begotten Son; the Church which is beloved and enlightened by the will of Him that wills all things which are according to the love of Jesus Christ our God, which also presides in the place of the region of the Romans, worthy of God, worthy of honor, worthy of the highest happiness, worthy of praise, worthy of obtaining her every desire, worthy of being deemed holy, and which presides over love, is named from Christ, and from the Father, which I also salute in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father: to those who are united, both according to the flesh and spirit, to every one of His commandments; who are filled inseparably with the grace of God, and are purified from every strange taint, [I wish] abundance of happiness unblameably, in Jesus Christ our God. (Saint Ignatius of Antioch. Epistle to the Romans, Prologue.)
