Was Father Manelli Framed?

Father Stefano Manelli is one of two founders of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate (FFI).  This past year that order, devoted to the traditional Mass and by all accounts growing and thriving, was all but obliterated through the machinations of Father Fidenzio Volpi, Apostolic Commissioner of the FFI.  Father Volpi was appointed to that position by Pope Francis himself.  Owing to Volpi's "work", the FFI is a shadow of its former self.

Comes now the news from Rorate Caeli that Father Volpi has been found guilty of spreading "defamation and lies".  He'll have to pay 20,000 euros to the Manelli family as well as issue public apologies.  So now it appears that the FFI was deliberately reduced to tatters; for what reason we can only speculate.  Volpi apparently set about to destroy Father Manelli's good name; now his own is besmirched.

Now the question is, "will Pope Francis allow the FFI to reestablish itself and will they be allowed to pursue their holy calling?"  In short, will the pope do right by the FFI?

What Pope Francis Allowed To Be Destroyed

On December 8, 2013, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Father Fidenzio Volpi closed the seminary operated by the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate.  The FFI was an order dedicated to the Mass in the Extraordinary Form and to other time-held traditions of Holy Mother Church.  They drew many vocations as you will see in the video posted below.  I and other bloggers have written about the draconian treatment meted out to this order, and to the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate.  The only motive that seems logical in the face of such behavior is the wanton destruction of the Deposit of Faith entrusted to Holy Mother Church by Our Lord.

Rorate Caeli has obtained video of the daily life within this seminary, taken by one of the seminarians on the very day the seminary was shuttered.  Please read Rorate's account of the horrid way in which these young men have been treated.  Circulate this widely.  Pray that sanity returns to those entrusted with guarding and shepherding the Church.  Now the video, as obtained and promulgated by Rorate Caeli.