Sirianism
Encyclopedia
The Siri Thesis is the belief that Giuseppe Cardinal Siri, the long-serving and conservative
Archbishop of Genoa
, was actually elected Pope
in the 1958 papal conclave
, but that his election was then suppressed.
By 2006, the Siri Thesis was believed to be held by hundreds, perhaps thousands of people, mostly in Traditionalist Catholic
circles.
of 1958, Cardinal Siri (the last Cardinal made by Pope Pius XII), who was considered the leading conservative candidate, was elected Pope on the first day of the conclave, October 26, and took the pontifical name
of Gregory XVII.
Newspapers the world over carried the Associated Press
picture of the white smoke emanating from the Sistine Chapel
chimney from 5:55 PM until 6:00 PM on October 26, 1958.
White smoke indicates that a Pope has been elected, has accepted, and has chosen a name. However, no Pope appeared on October 26, 1958, despite the five minutes of white smoke.
Two days later, the white smoke again rose from the Sistine Chapel, and this time John XXIII (Angelo Roncalli) emerged. Supporters of the Siri Thesis believe that evidence indicates that Giuseppe Cardinal Siri was elected on October 26, 1958—when the white smoke was seen but no Pope emerged on the balcony. Supporters of the Siri Thesis believe that dire threats against the Cardinals and the Vatican were made during this time, emanating in part from the Kremlin
. Some believe that the pressures included a nuclear threat
against the Vatican itself if Siri were not set aside and a more acceptable candidate chosen.
The possibility of a nuclear threat gained steam when the late author, Malachi Martin
, wrote of threats which involved "the very existence of the Vatican state" during a conclave on pages 600 to 610 in his book, The Keys of this Blood
, which deals primarily with Siri and the 1963 conclave.
Under this line of thought, after such threats entered the conclave, the liberal
and subversive factions amongst the cardinals in the conclave (particularly the French
cardinals
) supposedly pressured Siri to step aside in light of the alleged threats, claiming that his strong anti-Communist
policies would lead, among other things, to widespread persecution of Catholics in the Eastern Europe
. Siri then allegedly accepted this suggestion, and eventually stepped aside. This led to the election of Angelo Cardinal Roncalli
two days later, who took the name John XXIII.
As stated above, Sirianists cite that white smoke initially billowed forth from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at 5:55 PM on October 26, 1958, thus signaling the election of a new Pope; the smoke then changed to black at 6 PM, signaling that a Pope had not been elected, which is claimed to be the work of the liberal cardinals.
The United States
Federal Bureau of Investigation
allegedly also claimed that Siri had indeed been elected on the third ballot on October 26, 1958. This is found, complete with FBI document reference, in the book The Vatican Exposed: Money, Murder, and the Mafia by Paul L. Williams
on pages 90–92. The document Williams referred to, allegedly declassified, can no longer be found. Williams, since questioned by interested readers, has adamantly refused to comment on why he included the alleged document and reference number in his book, or why the document can no longer be viewed.
What is unambiguously known is that Vatican Radio
did conclude, on the basis of the five minutes of white smoke on October 26, 1958, that a Pope had been elected on the third ballot and announced it as such, telling listeners, "The smoke is white...There is absolutely no doubt. A Pope has been elected."
After the white smoke appeared, the Swiss Guard
assembled to give the ceremonial salute to the new pontiff, only to be ordered to withdraw again sometime later when no Pope emerged on the balcony, and after the white smoke had turned back to black.
However, according to Sirianist apologetics
, Cardinal Siri's supposed resignation was invalid according to Canon 185 of the 1917 Code of Canon Law
, which states as Canon 188 in the 1983 Code of Canon Law
: "Resignation made out of grave fear that is inflicted unjustly or out of malice, substantial error, or simony is invalid by the law itself."
Malachi Martin later stated that Siri was elected a new Pope during the Papal conclave, October 1978. Martin publicly stated in March 1997 on Paranet Continuum radio programme Steel on Steel, hosted by John Loefller, that Siri received a written note after his initial election threatening him and his family with death should he accept.
, and in some circles this rejection extends even to the validity of the post-Council Popes themselves; in their view, Pope Pius XII
was the "last true Pope."
A branch of sedevacantists
, adherents of the thesis, who are also known as Sirianists to adversaries of the Thesis, also believe that John XXIII
and his officially-recognized successors (Paul VI, 1963–78; John Paul I, 1978-78; John Paul II, 1978–2005; and Benedict XVI, 2005–present) are antipope
s, while Siri reigned as the suppressed head of the Catholic Church
until his death in 1989.
in that sedeimpeditists do not believe that the Holy See is vacant (sede vacante), but rather that a real legitimate Pope exists, but that he has been impeded by outside forces (sede impedita) from taking his office, which is still rightfully his.
Because some sedeimpeditists are even today not sedevacantists, some of them postulate that a true Pope in the Siri line may still exist somewhere in the world today, and thus they are also distinguished from conclavists, who are sedevacantists who took the next step and decided to elect their own Pope. A number of groups have attempted this step, including a group in Kansas, USA, who recognise David Bawdan as Pope Michael I in 1990, and group around the (late) Elizabeth Gerstner, which recognise a Victor von Pentz as Pope Linus II in 1994.
Sedeimpeditists who accept the Siri Thesis, believe that Giuseppe Siri was the "Pope in Exile" long prophesied by Catholic saints (see "Catholic Prophecy" by Yves Dupont, Tan, 1971) during what they view as the current "Eclipse of the Church", as allegedly predicted by Our Lady of La Salette
in 1846 (a vision approved by the Church).
and other Italian biographers do not even mention the newspaper article, possibly, because Italian articles are taken less seriously in Italy than in the USA and other English speaking countries. Hutton Gibson
, who was a one time cautious supporter of the Siri Thesis, rejected the belief and asserted it was based largely on a mistranslation of an Italian newspaper article. The change of white to black smoke was recorded by Silvio Negro for the evening edition of Corriere della Sera
(Milan, Italy) on 27 October. However, Negro, Gibson contends, was actually discussing an occurrence at the 1939 conclave
in one key paragraph in the article.
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
Archbishop of Genoa
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Genoa
The Archdiocese of Genoa is a metropolitan see of the Catholic Church in Italy.Erected in the third century, it was elevated to an archdiocese on 20 March 1133...
, was actually elected Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
in the 1958 papal conclave
Papal conclave, 1958
The Papal conclave of 1958 occurred following the death of Pope Pius XII on 9 October 1958 in Castel Gandolfo, after a 19-year pontificate. The conclave to elect his successor commenced on 25 October and ended three days later, on 28 October, after eleven ballots. The cardinal electors chose Angelo...
, but that his election was then suppressed.
By 2006, the Siri Thesis was believed to be held by hundreds, perhaps thousands of people, mostly in Traditionalist Catholic
Traditionalist Catholic
Traditionalist Catholics are Roman Catholics who believe that there should be a restoration of many or all of the liturgical forms, public and private devotions and presentations of Catholic teachings which prevailed in the Catholic Church before the Second Vatican Council...
circles.
Reasons and basis for belief
The followers of the Siri Thesis claim that during the papal conclavePapal conclave
A papal conclave is a meeting of the College of Cardinals convened to elect a Bishop of Rome, who then becomes the Pope during a period of vacancy in the papal office. The Pope is considered by Roman Catholics to be the apostolic successor of Saint Peter and earthly head of the Roman Catholic Church...
of 1958, Cardinal Siri (the last Cardinal made by Pope Pius XII), who was considered the leading conservative candidate, was elected Pope on the first day of the conclave, October 26, and took the pontifical name
Regnal name
A regnal name, or reign name, is a formal name used by some monarchs and popes during their reigns. Since medieval times, monarchs have frequently chosen to use a name different from their own personal name when they inherit a throne....
of Gregory XVII.
Newspapers the world over carried the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
picture of the white smoke emanating from the Sistine Chapel
Sistine Chapel
Sistine Chapel is the best-known chapel in the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope in Vatican City. It is famous for its architecture and its decoration that was frescoed throughout by Renaissance artists including Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, Pinturicchio...
chimney from 5:55 PM until 6:00 PM on October 26, 1958.
White smoke indicates that a Pope has been elected, has accepted, and has chosen a name. However, no Pope appeared on October 26, 1958, despite the five minutes of white smoke.
Two days later, the white smoke again rose from the Sistine Chapel, and this time John XXIII (Angelo Roncalli) emerged. Supporters of the Siri Thesis believe that evidence indicates that Giuseppe Cardinal Siri was elected on October 26, 1958—when the white smoke was seen but no Pope emerged on the balcony. Supporters of the Siri Thesis believe that dire threats against the Cardinals and the Vatican were made during this time, emanating in part from the Kremlin
Moscow Kremlin
The Moscow Kremlin , sometimes referred to as simply The Kremlin, is a historic fortified complex at the heart of Moscow, overlooking the Moskva River , Saint Basil's Cathedral and Red Square and the Alexander Garden...
. Some believe that the pressures included a nuclear threat
Nuclear weapon
A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. The first fission bomb test released the same amount...
against the Vatican itself if Siri were not set aside and a more acceptable candidate chosen.
The possibility of a nuclear threat gained steam when the late author, Malachi Martin
Malachi Martin
Malachi Brendan Martin Ph.D. was a Catholic priest, theologian, writer on the Catholic Church, and professor at the Vatican's Pontifical Biblical Institute. He held three doctorates and was the sole author of sixteen books covering religious and geopolitical topics, which were published in eight...
, wrote of threats which involved "the very existence of the Vatican state" during a conclave on pages 600 to 610 in his book, The Keys of this Blood
The Keys of This Blood
-Content:Martin, a Vatican insider, wrote this non fiction apocalyptic book as a geopolitical and georeligious analysis of the last decades of the 20th century. He identifies this period as the millennium end-game for a new world order, which has three main contenders. It will establish the first...
, which deals primarily with Siri and the 1963 conclave.
Under this line of thought, after such threats entered the conclave, the liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
and subversive factions amongst the cardinals in the conclave (particularly the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
cardinals
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
) supposedly pressured Siri to step aside in light of the alleged threats, claiming that his strong anti-Communist
Anti-communism
Anti-communism is opposition to communism. Organized anti-communism developed in reaction to the rise of communism, especially after the 1917 October Revolution in Russia and the beginning of the Cold War in 1947.-Objections to communist theory:...
policies would lead, among other things, to widespread persecution of Catholics in the Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe is the eastern part of Europe. The term has widely disparate geopolitical, geographical, cultural and socioeconomic readings, which makes it highly context-dependent and even volatile, and there are "almost as many definitions of Eastern Europe as there are scholars of the region"...
. Siri then allegedly accepted this suggestion, and eventually stepped aside. This led to the election of Angelo Cardinal Roncalli
Pope John XXIII
-Papal election:Following the death of Pope Pius XII in 1958, Roncalli was elected Pope, to his great surprise. He had even arrived in the Vatican with a return train ticket to Venice. Many had considered Giovanni Battista Montini, Archbishop of Milan, a possible candidate, but, although archbishop...
two days later, who took the name John XXIII.
As stated above, Sirianists cite that white smoke initially billowed forth from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at 5:55 PM on October 26, 1958, thus signaling the election of a new Pope; the smoke then changed to black at 6 PM, signaling that a Pope had not been elected, which is claimed to be the work of the liberal cardinals.
The United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
allegedly also claimed that Siri had indeed been elected on the third ballot on October 26, 1958. This is found, complete with FBI document reference, in the book The Vatican Exposed: Money, Murder, and the Mafia by Paul L. Williams
Paul L. Williams
Paul L. Williams is an American author, journalist, and consultant. He was also an adjunct professor of humanities and philosophy at Wilkes University and The University of Scranton....
on pages 90–92. The document Williams referred to, allegedly declassified, can no longer be found. Williams, since questioned by interested readers, has adamantly refused to comment on why he included the alleged document and reference number in his book, or why the document can no longer be viewed.
What is unambiguously known is that Vatican Radio
Vatican Radio
Vatican Radio is the official broadcasting service of the Vatican.Set up in 1931 by Guglielmo Marconi, today its programs are offered in 47 languages, and are sent out on short wave , medium wave, FM, satellite and the Internet. The Jesuit Order has been charged with the management of Vatican...
did conclude, on the basis of the five minutes of white smoke on October 26, 1958, that a Pope had been elected on the third ballot and announced it as such, telling listeners, "The smoke is white...There is absolutely no doubt. A Pope has been elected."
After the white smoke appeared, the Swiss Guard
Swiss Guard
Swiss Guards or Schweizergarde is the name given to the Swiss soldiers who have served as bodyguards, ceremonial guards, and palace guards at foreign European courts since the late 15th century. They have had a high reputation for discipline, as well as loyalty to their employers...
assembled to give the ceremonial salute to the new pontiff, only to be ordered to withdraw again sometime later when no Pope emerged on the balcony, and after the white smoke had turned back to black.
However, according to Sirianist apologetics
Apologetics
Apologetics is the discipline of defending a position through the systematic use of reason. Early Christian writers Apologetics (from Greek ἀπολογία, "speaking in defense") is the discipline of defending a position (often religious) through the systematic use of reason. Early Christian writers...
, Cardinal Siri's supposed resignation was invalid according to Canon 185 of the 1917 Code of Canon Law
Canon law (Catholic Church)
The canon law of the Catholic Church, is a fully developed legal system, with all the necessary elements: courts, lawyers, judges, a fully articulated legal code and principles of legal interpretation. It lacks the necessary binding force present in most modern day legal systems. The academic...
, which states as Canon 188 in the 1983 Code of Canon Law
Canon law (Catholic Church)
The canon law of the Catholic Church, is a fully developed legal system, with all the necessary elements: courts, lawyers, judges, a fully articulated legal code and principles of legal interpretation. It lacks the necessary binding force present in most modern day legal systems. The academic...
: "Resignation made out of grave fear that is inflicted unjustly or out of malice, substantial error, or simony is invalid by the law itself."
Malachi Martin later stated that Siri was elected a new Pope during the Papal conclave, October 1978. Martin publicly stated in March 1997 on Paranet Continuum radio programme Steel on Steel, hosted by John Loefller, that Siri received a written note after his initial election threatening him and his family with death should he accept.
Sedevacantism
A small group of traditional Catholics rejects the reforms of the Second Vatican CouncilSecond Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed...
, and in some circles this rejection extends even to the validity of the post-Council Popes themselves; in their view, Pope Pius XII
Pope Pius XII
The Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958....
was the "last true Pope."
A branch of sedevacantists
Sedevacantism
Sedevacantism is the position held by a minority of Traditionalist Catholics who hold that the present occupant of the papal see is not truly Pope and that, for lack of a valid Pope, the see has been vacant since the death of either Pope Pius XII in 1958 or Pope John XXIII in 1963.Sedevacantists...
, adherents of the thesis, who are also known as Sirianists to adversaries of the Thesis, also believe that John XXIII
Pope John XXIII
-Papal election:Following the death of Pope Pius XII in 1958, Roncalli was elected Pope, to his great surprise. He had even arrived in the Vatican with a return train ticket to Venice. Many had considered Giovanni Battista Montini, Archbishop of Milan, a possible candidate, but, although archbishop...
and his officially-recognized successors (Paul VI, 1963–78; John Paul I, 1978-78; John Paul II, 1978–2005; and Benedict XVI, 2005–present) are antipope
Antipope
An antipope is a person who opposes a legitimately elected or sitting Pope and makes a significantly accepted competing claim to be the Pope, the Bishop of Rome and leader of the Roman Catholic Church. At times between the 3rd and mid-15th century, antipopes were typically those supported by a...
s, while Siri reigned as the suppressed head of the Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
until his death in 1989.
Sedeimpeditism
Sirianism appears to be a major feature in what has been termed sedeimpeditism, which is distinguished from sedevacantismSedevacantism
Sedevacantism is the position held by a minority of Traditionalist Catholics who hold that the present occupant of the papal see is not truly Pope and that, for lack of a valid Pope, the see has been vacant since the death of either Pope Pius XII in 1958 or Pope John XXIII in 1963.Sedevacantists...
in that sedeimpeditists do not believe that the Holy See is vacant (sede vacante), but rather that a real legitimate Pope exists, but that he has been impeded by outside forces (sede impedita) from taking his office, which is still rightfully his.
Because some sedeimpeditists are even today not sedevacantists, some of them postulate that a true Pope in the Siri line may still exist somewhere in the world today, and thus they are also distinguished from conclavists, who are sedevacantists who took the next step and decided to elect their own Pope. A number of groups have attempted this step, including a group in Kansas, USA, who recognise David Bawdan as Pope Michael I in 1990, and group around the (late) Elizabeth Gerstner, which recognise a Victor von Pentz as Pope Linus II in 1994.
Sedeimpeditists who accept the Siri Thesis, believe that Giuseppe Siri was the "Pope in Exile" long prophesied by Catholic saints (see "Catholic Prophecy" by Yves Dupont, Tan, 1971) during what they view as the current "Eclipse of the Church", as allegedly predicted by Our Lady of La Salette
Our Lady of La Salette
La Salette is a small mountaintop village near Grenoble, France. It is most noted for an apparition of the Virgin Mary that was reported in 1846 by two shepherd children, Mélanie Calvat and Maximin Giraud, followed by numerous accounts of miraculous healings....
in 1846 (a vision approved by the Church).
Criticism
The authoritative biography of Cardinal Siri by Raimondo SpiazziRaimondo Spiazzi
Raimondo Spiazzi OP was an Italian Catholic theologian, advisor to Pius XII, and Mariologist with over 2,500 publications.-Biography:Spiazzi was born in Moneglia, province of Genoa....
and other Italian biographers do not even mention the newspaper article, possibly, because Italian articles are taken less seriously in Italy than in the USA and other English speaking countries. Hutton Gibson
Hutton Gibson
Hutton Peter Gibson is an American writer on Sedevacantism, World War II veteran, the 1968 Jeopardy! grand champion and the father of 11 children, one of whom is the actor and director Mel Gibson....
, who was a one time cautious supporter of the Siri Thesis, rejected the belief and asserted it was based largely on a mistranslation of an Italian newspaper article. The change of white to black smoke was recorded by Silvio Negro for the evening edition of Corriere della Sera
Corriere della Sera
The Corriere della Sera is an Italian daily newspaper, published in Milan.It is among the oldest and most reputable Italian newspapers. Its main rivals are Rome's La Repubblica and Turin's La Stampa.- History :...
(Milan, Italy) on 27 October. However, Negro, Gibson contends, was actually discussing an occurrence at the 1939 conclave
Papal conclave, 1939
The Papal conclave of 1939 was convoked on the brink of World War II with the death of Pope Pius XI on 10 February that year in the Apostolic Palace. With all 62 living cardinals in attendance, the conclave to elect Pius' successor began on 1 March and ended a day later, on 2 March, after three...
in one key paragraph in the article.
Promoting the Siri Thesis
- Cardinal Siri and the Plot against the Pope
- In Today's Catholic World (Has map of "Siri's Prison")
- Eclipse of the Church
- The Pope In Red
Against the Siri Thesis
- The Siri Thesis Unravels
- Gary Giuffre & The 'Siri Thesis' by Hutton Gibson, The War is Now! #66, January 2006