Bishop Oster: “The Danger is a Split is Greater”

Passau Bishop skeptical about possible changes in sexual teaching by DBK: "We might then be out of the media focus, but at the same time religious indifference would grow.”

Passau (kath.net) The Passau Bishop Stefan Oster has commented on his blog once again at the spring plenary meeting of the German Bishops' Conference in Lingen and once again addressed the painful topic of "abuse.” Oster recalled that the phenomenon of abuse of children and adolescents naturally also existed in the rest of society. In the case of the victims, however, the ratio of girls to boys is around 4: 1, whereas in the Church it is usually the other way round, that is to say rather 1: 4. So he asks himself: "Who is drawn to the ‘Church system’ here - and how do we deal with it? How does priestly life today succeed under such radically changed social conditions? What role does the phenomenon of same-sex orientation play, even among priests?”

Oster once again praised celibacy, stressing that he considers life in the example of Jesus to be a great spiritual treasure in our Church, while he considers a farewell to priestlycelibacy “a great spiritual loss". "Our way of life already points to the actual, life completely filled with Him in the reality of God, in which one is loved not less but more and more deeply loved - but just not married anymore (Lk 20,35) .. Successful celibate life testifies to a fertility which comes from the Lord, and which exceeds purely biological fertility, contributing to the birth of new children of God (cf Jn 3: 3),”  writes Oster. His option is therefore that one must try everything to preserve the way of life of Jesus as a way of life for the priests. But one must also look honestly.

He also saw a direct connection between the "spiritual substance of a believing people" and the "spiritual substance of priestly life" and thus also the number of priests the Lord gave to the people. For Easter, therefore, a change based merely on structural "needs" was much too short. In a free election of celibacy for priests, according to the bishop, the celibate form of life among the diocesan priests would disappear rather quickly and be confined to the monasteries.

He was also skeptical of Cardinal Marx's promotion of sexual morality. It is necessary to justify here why what was previously sin is now no longer sin and now perhaps even should be blessed. These questions also touch upon the doctrine of faith and ethics so much that at the same time there must be a development on the world Church level. "Some hope for an impetus from us in Germany, which would then be so intense and convincing that it could prevail  in the world Church or just could apply to us because of regional differences. I think both ideas are not realistic,” said Oster.

The bishop also criticized the fact that in Lingen reference was made to "new human scientific insights" without actually putting them into practice. He did not really hear anything substantial here. "Rather, I am convinced that the theology of the body developed by Pope John Paul II unveils the constitution of human beings as a personal, relationship-oriented, sexual being in a well-grounded way. At the same time, it does justice to our biblical tradition and, in my opinion, also addresses the heights of humanistic sciences," emphasizes the bishop, while there are all too many of the “reform minded” that rather want to “dampen further development”  in the area of sexual morality, since otherwise the frustrations afterwards would only be all the greater and likewise offers the danger of a split. With this topic, however, Oster is focused upon the trust in the Lord and that this can actually change and deepen the ability to love. This always includes and does not exclude the dimension of sexuality and, in his view, leads to a sexual morality as the Church teaches.

Oster also points out that, even if there were a possible change in the Church's sexual morality, the Church would not be implicitly less the Church nor would the teaching somehow be more humane, more forgiving, and more acceptable to all. The situation of Protestant cousins makes this hope seem deceptive to Oster. "Maybe we would be out of the media focus, but at the same time, religious indifference would grow with not a few - when the Church is finally like a liberal society would like to have it. But I hardly see growth opportunities for the Church," said the bishop

In conclusion, the bishop believes that many faithful believers simply want to be Catholic and receive and live the faith as delivered and celebrated by the apostles, scripture, tradition and liturgy. He himself just wants to be Catholic and let himself be changed anew. I want to do that too, and I have repeatedly promised in my ordination as deacon, priest, and bishop that I will stand up and fight for this very belief with complete conviction, and I am sure that the Lord will bless all and anyone can also experience joy, who embarks on this path - no matter how challenging the times are,” writes Oster.

Diocese of Passau - Bishop Stefan Oster on the Church code of conduct (Vatican Codex) in the face of the sexual abuse scandal

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

AMDG

It's Been Carefully Noted That the "German Front" of Kasper and Marx is Crumbling

Conscious of His Power, But no Longer the Controversial
German Voice in Rome 

(Bonn / Rome) South of the Alps it has been carefully noted that the "German front" in terms of "new mercy" is not as stable as it initially  appeared on first impression, or at least such an impression was conveyed. Is registered especially been noticed that six German bishops in the line of Kasper / Marx have been rejected. 

If the German cardinal Walter Kasper is considered head of the rebels, then it is  Cardinal Gerhard Müller as  the highest ranking of his opponents is also a German.  With Cardinal Walter Brandmüller and Auxiliary Bishop Athanasius Schneider, two more Germans of international weight  raise their voices against Kasper's attempt to bridge the gap between the teachings of Christ and the "real life" of many people by adapting to the latter by passing over the doctrine and mission of Christ over in silence.

More German Signatories of the appeal to Pope Francis as Answer to Synod Questionnaire

Bishop Stefan Oster of Passau

It is also closely noted in Rome, among some it is  welcome, while others greet it with unease that the second questionnaire of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops generated little interest in  the German dioceses. A lack of interest that the full-bodied announcement with a threat of schism by the President of the German Bishops' Conference, that there was a "state of emergency" for the German church's divorced and remarried is not supported. It is reported that more Catholics of the German-speaking countries have signed the Appeal to Pope Francis  then responded to the questionnaire. The appeal of faithful Catholics, whose first signatories include Cardinals Burke and Brandmüller, and  Bishop Athanasius Schneider who invite the Pope and the Synod of Bishops to reaffirm Catholic marriage and morality against attempts at erosion in no uncertain terms.

Faithful Catholics are simply motivated by the desire to follow Christ in fidelity to the Church established by Him.

Now in these days in Rome the news quickly made the rounds that six bishops of the German Bishops' Conference have renounced allegiance to the Cardinals Kasper and Marx. Six out of 27 bishops are not even a quarter of the German diocesan bishops. In Rome, however, the principle is still sound, that one can not change the word of God by majorities. It was first part of the Synod of Bishops in October 2014 where it was  Cardinal Raymond Burke, who recalled the essential elements of the Catholic Faith in an intervention. The formation of a counter group in the German Bishops' Conference thus represents an important step.

Six German Bishops Rehearse the Uprising

Five Bishops Support Bishop Oster

Bishop Stefan Oster of Passau, Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer of Regensburg, Bishop Gregor Maria Hanke of Eichstatt, Bishop Konrad Zdarsa of Augsburg, Bishop Friedhelm Hofmann from Würzburg and Bishop Wolfgang Ipolt of Görlitz have  renounced allegiance to the  BTB President and Munich Archbishop. Cardinal Marx has to feel encircled by dissidents in Bavaria. Here, the actual dissenters sit at the Palais Holnstein, while gathered around the Bishop of Passau Oster mustering chief shepherds  in full communion with Rome.

In this respect the hopes of the young Bishop of Passau are fulfilled.  Until recently it yet looked as if he would meekly submit to the powerful archbishop of Munich-Freising (see Passauer Distancing - And an Easter Bunny Crawled under Marx's Wing in German).

The bishops of Regensburg, Augsburg, Eichstatt, Würzburg and Görlitz announced three days ago in a public letter of thanks to a statement by  Bishop Oster where he defended  Catholic marriage and morality. Thus, a lone voice quickly became a chorus. It is conceivable that other bishops should come whose voices have yet remained unheard so far besides  the high-handed Cardinal of Munich.

Rejected ZdK Demands

In letters of appreciation for Bishop Oster, his five brothers wrote  last MAY 16:

"We live now in a highly secularized society in Germany. This fact should not discourage us and make us look at the guidance of the mainstream, but it should be seen as an opportunity to rediscover the uniqueness of the Christian vocation in the world today. Yours was a  frank and faithful proclamation of Jesus' teaching in the Gospels and the development of the relationship with Him as a reward that enriches our life, as you have done it in your replica, but it is an indispensable requisite.

We are therefore convinced that even many believers  are most grateful to you for your clear words. "

The letter was  a detailed opinion sent by Bishop Oster on 11 May from his Facebook page. In it he refuted point by point the 'reform' exposures, which they (ZdK)  collected at their plenary meeting on 9 May in Würzburg by the Central Committee of German Catholics (see BDKJ spokesman acting as Homo lobbyist - ZdK calls "unconditional acceptance" in German), The requirement of ecclesiastical blessings for homosexual couples is only one point in the long ZdK catalog.

From the Single Courageous Bishop Oster, the Lonely Voice Quickly Became a Group

Cardinal Marx Consecrated  Oster a Bishop

Bishop Oster was the brave one who reacted quickly and decided on his  own initiative and disagreed publicly with the Association of Catholics ZdK. He objected so implicitly also to his "Reformation" brothers in the episcopate, because Cardinal Marx had taken position in the ZdK paper. The Munich Archbishop remained so mysterious that the observers interpreted the reaction as expressions of sympathy towards ZdK which could  play to openly for tactical reasons.

Unlike Marx, Bishop had Easter then had to accept  some  irreverent criticism, particularly on the Internet portal katholisch.de that is funded by  the German Bishops' Conference. The internal church struggle  is quickly becoming a sniper's duel in Germany. Whoever defends  Catholic doctrine, must dress warmly. Rebels and renegades have occupied numerous key positions for many years, particularly in the official Catholic media. The tragedy of the German Church is also  that the bishops are hedged around by an exclusive church apparatus.

Oster's step will help to clarify the fronts. Six bishops have shown their Catholic color. Others conceal themselves in calculating silence. In Rome it has been noted  what is happening north of the Alps. Many prelates referred simply to  any representatives of the Kasper-proposal summarily as "the Germans".

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: Focus.de/Diözese Passau / Facebook bishop Easter (screenshots)
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
Link to Katholisches...
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