In this episode, Mark and Ann are again joined by Dr. Edmund Mazza. We further explore his thesis that the words and actions of Pope Benedict suggest that he intended to separate the functional aspects of the papacy from the ontological essence of the papacy, having himself retained the latter. In delegating the governance function/active role/ministry, it appears Benedict may have done so by attempting to separate the See of Rome from the Primacy itself. There are conflicting opinions going back at least to the 19th century, of whether such a thing is even possible. What we do know, with metaphysical certitude, is that the question of splitting the governing powers of the papacy was being widely discussed since at least the mid-20th century. We also know, from no less an authority than Anglican convert and ultramontanist Cardinal Manning, that the idea of splitting off the Roman See from the Primacy is NOT a heretical idea. Accepting for the sake of argument that this split is both possible and not heretical, we proceed to probe the evidence for the better part of two hours.

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