Disloyal? Disrespectful? Judgmental?

Today, [traditionalist] Catholic blogs have been abuzz with the release of the instruction Universae Ecclesiae.

Yesterday I read these two pieces on the beatification of Pope John Paul II:

Christian Order: B-Day
The Remnant: The Beatification of John Paul II (by Christopher Ferrara)

Mr. Ferrara mentions that beatification is not infallible, relying upon the same Catholic Encyclopedia article that I consulted when the question came up in my mind in relation to this event.


Are critics being presumptuous in making judgments about what the pope failed to do? Or is their judgment about certain things (e.g. what happened at Assisi) being scandalous to the faithful (and non-faithful) warranted?

Regarding the first question, how much authority does the pope have according to Vatican I? Could the pope have done more to govern the Church? It may be that with regards to the daily running of the Church, a monarchical order is not desirable, but what about in extraordinary circumstances? And even if extraordinary circumstances do not justify interventions solely by the pope, could he not have acted in concert with bishops faithful to the see of Peter? Of course some bishops may only be weak, not heretical. Those who are heretical - should they have been excommunicated and stripped of their office? How could those who are weak have been strengthened? Would it be better to return to a system in which nominations are handled by those within a diocese, and let God's judgment fall upon it with whoever is nominated and ultimately selected?

Some may defend inaction by saying that formal schism of a significant part of the Church would have been worse than "preserving  the status quo." Is this akin to saying that those who are objectively sinning should not be told that they are sinning? That it is better to presume their ignorance and to keep them there, so they are not informed and become guilty of sin? Or is it a failure to confront evil within the Church, whatever the cost? (The spiritual works of mercy... How is brotherhood reconciled with the hierarchical order of the Church?)

(Incidentally, today is the 30th anniversary of the attempt on Pope John Paul II's life.)