No Priestly Ordination for Men Who Are Deeply Affected Homosexuals

Kathnet got some of the highlights but did not mention that the Pöltner Bishop favors the use of condoms in cases where one of the partners in a marriage suffers from AIDS. The following article also doesn't mention the Bishop's faint criticism of Cardinal Schönborn, of whom he was respectful and whom he believes has good intentions, but gives too much to the critics of the Church in the sex abuse crisis, according to Kreuz.net, who commented on the same interview.

St. Pöltner Bishop Klaus Küng warns of the abuse with abuse. Authenticity in pastoral care and in Church life as the way for a new beginning. Homosexual networks are a danger.

Vienna (kath.net)
More authenticity in the pastoral care and in Church life are, according to the view of the St. Pöltner Diocesan Bishop, Klaus Küng, the right way for a new beginning for the Church, "where the joy of belief is audible, there is also the ability to be appealing", said the Bishop in an interview with the daily "Der Standard".

The discussions about the abuse cases in Austria, Bishop Küng views critically. "We live in a very highly sexualized society; eroticized masses, hardly any films without sexualized content. That is an aspect which is too little discussed in society -- also when abuse naturally has a very complex cause," he said to "Standard".

At the same time, warns Küng, is the abuse of the abuse. It will attempt to push everything on the Church, and the Church is very much inclined to take a lot of guilt on itself. Abuse is, however, not a problem of the Church alone. Others around intend, that they could use the abuse debate to put the Church under pressure, in order to provide a way for reform. Efforts of this kind would come from within the Church.

Bishop Küng supports the measures agreed upon by the Austrian Bishop's Conference for the prevention of sexual abuse in Church institutions. The Institution of the Victim's Representative under the direction of the former Steyrian State District Attorney, Frau Klasnic and respects the Commission. I have to consider, however, that every additional position for the handling of the cases, lengthens the process. We have already in every Diocese an Ombudsman and that is sufficient. Every case doesn't require five commissions."

Bishop Küng is cautious about damages for the victims of Church abuse. Firstly, the perpetrator should answer the costs. Küng sees the question in the big picture: "we may not now raise our hand and say, we'll pay everything. With that we see other countries, like Germany, are under pressure", he said to the "Standard".

Church Goes on the Offensive to the People

Especially when the current situation is painful to overcome, he's an optimist, says Küng. It has always been the case in Church history that these dramatic situations have taken place, which have turned out for the good. Bishop Küng says: "But then there is at once in the midst of these great difficulties the bearing of fruit."

The Church must go on the offensive for the people, said the Bishop to "Standard". A great example was Pope John Paul II. "He had a way to energize that reached the whole world", said Küng. The evanglization isn't only a mission to lead people to the Church. Bishop Küng: "It's more important that everyone feels responsible to Christ himself."

Why should young people be engaged in the Church, when these are characterized by "impure sexual morals, nontransparent structures, withdrawing social image, inequality of the sexes", asked the Standard editor. Precisely because the young desire an awareness of why we are really here, answered Bishop Küng. "The question of God is also for the young people the central question of life", he said in his own words. The Standard editor did not address the answer, but stuck to the theme of sexual morality. The Catholic Church holds its teachings on condoms as "Iron clad". How should an enlightened person of today understand this? Young people are thoroughly captured by what true love leads to, said the St. Poltner Bishop. Also as in regards the condom ban the position of the Church is reduced to the AIDS issue, actually it is daily engaged in a great battle against AIDS. Bishop Küng said: "At present 50 percent of all AIDS assistance comes through the Catholic Church."

Even by celibacy the Standard editor sees the Church's "refusal to reform". For Bishop Küng celibacy is a sensible preparation for priestly ordination. "There is no stronger sign for God and for the love of the Church than the conscious sacrifice of marriage and family", he said.

Especially those who are from youth deeply affected by homosexuality, may not be ordained as priests, answered Küng to a corresponding question from "Standard". Homosexual networks are a threat for a Cloister or a Diocese, because "one attracts the other". Then there exists in a place a certain atmosphere, which becomes an attractive place for homosexual candidates, said Küng. Then, only a radical solution is possible. "If I become aware, that such a situation has the upper hand in a seminary or a cloister, I can only lock it up", said the Bishop.

The original, here...