Dr. Taylor Marshall’s ongoing conversion to post-conciliar “recognize and cope” Catholicism continued last Friday.
In what seemed to be a desperate attempt to display his newfound credentials as an apologist for the Synodal Church, Dr. Marshall boasted on his podcast, without a hint of irony, that, “I met Pope Francis, my daughter rode in the popemobile … I was engaging with him online … and I was also told by two reputable sources that Pope Francis was shown and did watch some of my podcasts.”
The most baffling moment came soon afterwards, when Marshall matter-of-factly told his viewers that when he was in Rome recently he went “over to Pope Francis’ tomb and I pray[ed] for him. And I ask[ed] him to pray for me.” Mario Derksen captured the moment and shared it on social media, expressing his own disbelief, “You can’t make this stuff up!”
Following Derksen’s post, Catholic social media influencers and commentators wasted no time denouncing this latest hypocrisy from the man who was once the epitome of the so-called “mad trad” Catholic.
The ensuing social media firestorm
One user on X recalled that in 2023 Dr. Marshall asked his audience “Would you allow Francis to teach your children Catholicism? Would you allow Francis to teach their first communion class, their confirmation class and would you let Francis teach your high school theology class?” Answering his own question, Marshall resolutely said “no, no,” after which he agreed with his viewers expressing the same sentiment.
Other social media users rightfully and relentlessly reminded Marshall of all the times he called Francis a heretic and questioned his validity as pope, as well as his accusations of Francis committing with the Pachamama scandal, and a slew of other accusations, all of which they could back up with evidence from his online presence.
Integrity Magazine editor American Reform shared a clip of Marshall in 2022 denouncing Francis as a heretic. In an X post, he then asked: “Why would Marshall ask someone he identified as a heretic to intercede for him, especially if the heretic never publicly abjured his views and made public reparation? To use Marshall’s own historical analogy, it would be like asking for the intercession of Archbishop Nestorius. Unthinkable.”
The Dispatch
On X, Society of St. Pius X layman Cullum Smith highlighted the contradictory position of Marshall as well, stating: “It’s kind of like if Dr. Peter Kwasnewski were to ask for the intercession of Annibale Bugnini. I mean sure, knock yourself out, but definitely a head scratcher!”
For his part, Dr. Marshall responded to his critics by blocking many of those who drew attention his latest volte face. Dr. Anthony Stine and Fred Simon were two of the most prominent users.
At odds with St. Thomas Aquinas
Dr. Marshall often boasts about being a Thomist, that is, one who is faithful to the doctrines of St. Thomas Aquinas. Among other things, Marshall is the author of Thomas Aquinas in 50 Pages: A Layman’s Quick Guide to Thomism, he wrote his doctoral thesis is on the teachings of St. Thomas; and even established the New Saint Thomas Institute, including paid enrollment, to teach people traditional Catholic theology from a Thomistic standpoint.
As a student of St. Thomas, Marshall should know that the Angelic Doctor — and many other eminent theologians — denies that souls in purgatory pray for the living (II-II.83.11), and states they are not in a position to pray for us, but rather that we must make intercession for them. The 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia notes, however, that “There is no decision of the Church on this subject, nor have the theologians pronounced with definiteness concerning the invocation of the souls in purgatory and their intercession for the living.”
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Traditional Catholic X user Dr. Naveen Maliakkal took to the platform to explain why Marshall’s remarks raise eyebrows from a theological standpoint: “The issue is that he said that he both prays for Francis AND asks for Francis to pray for him.”
Again, this is problematic because the souls in purgatory do not have the beatific vision. Therefore, a Catholic who prays for the intercession of a soul in purgatory would not have their intentions heard, as they would not be known to the soul.
It is not unreasonable for a Catholic to do a double take when listening to Marshall, as it is a clear cut case of a self-described Thomist who does not defend the positions advanced by St. Thomas himself.
The only mystery bigger than Marshall’s recent statement, though, is how anyone claiming to be an adherent of the perennial Traditional Catholic Faith can still take him seriously as this is yet another mask-off moment.
