Battleground Swiss Diocese of Chur Handed Off to Opus Dei Prelate

Msgr. Joseph Bonnemain is the new Bishop of Chur.

(Rome) Msgr. Marian Eleganti, the auxuliary bishop of Chur, was retired today by Pope Francis. At the same time, the Holy See announced the appointment of the new Bishop of Chur. The diocese has been deeply divided for decades.

In 2019, the Benedictine Msgr. Eleganti, although only 63 years old at the time, offered Pope Francis his resignation in the course of the retirement of Bishop Vitus Huonder. While the diocese of Chur was vacant, Francis left the former abbot of the Benedictine abbey of St. Otmarsberg in office. With the appointment of a new diocesan bishop today, the Pope accepted Eleganti's offer of resignation.

The diocese of Chur is the oldest and largest diocese in Switzerland. A struggle for control of the diocese has been raging since the late 1980s. Therefore, towards the end of his episcopate, Bishop Johannes Vonderach (1962–1990) asked for a bishop coadjutor with succession rights. This was granted to him in 1988 in the person of Wolfgang Haas. The resistance against Msgr. Haas was so strong that in 1997 he was sent to the Archdiocese of Vaduz, which was set up especially for this purpose. Up until then, the Principality of Liechtenstein had belonged to the Diocese of Chur. The conflict flared up again with each new appointment. Through the interaction of non-church media and progressive church circles, a priori image of the bishops was drawn and the development of their work was severely impaired.

In 1999 Marian Eleganti was elected Abbot of the Mission Benedictines of Uznach. In 2010 Pope Benedict XVI appointed him. at the request of Bishop Vitus Huonder as auxiliary bishop of Chur. Among other things, Eleganti acted as the Rector of the Chur seminary and episcopal vicar for the religious. Media remote from the Church and progressive church circles repeatedly put the two bishops under pressure and publicly pilloried them.

Because of such discrepancies in the Swiss Bishops' Conference about the October 2018 Youth Synod convened by Pope Francis  Msgr. Eleganti resigned in 2018 from his position as youth bishop of Switzerland. He had accused the Synod Director of "contradictions and not being inscribed by the Holy Spirit."

The auxiliary bishop of Chur and the Austrian philosopher Joseph Seifert exercised 2,019 sharp critique of the Abu Dhabi document on the "brotherhood of man", which Pope Francis signed with the Grand Imam of al-Azhar in the United Arab Emirates as the "heresy of all heresies ”. 

Msgr. Marian Eleganti: The Benedictine has been auxiliary bishop of Chur to this day

The controversial post-synodal letter Amoris Laetitia -actuated critical remarks by Eleganti in defense of marriage and family. He was the first and only Swiss Bishop who signed the Commitment to the Inalienable Truths of Marriage Sacrament, which had been presented by Auxiliary Bishop Athanasius Schneider and other Kazakh bishops at the end of the 2017.

In the course of the so-called Corona pandemic, he created a spiritual dimension to the events and called for penance and conversion. In early March 2020 he regarded the development with  plain words and drew heavy criticism on himself because certain opinions are barely tolerated. He criticized the fact that the Church's answer to the Corona crisis was largely limited to hygiene regulations, which was tantamount to "capitulation". He also emphasized that receiving Communion could not pose a risk of infection. With their provisions on Holy Communion, the bishops would say that receiving the body of Christ could make one sick. However, it was more important for the Swiss bishops to keep step with the government. Even bishops from the neighboring Federal Republic of Germany kept their distance from Msgr. Eleganti. The Apostolic Administrator of Chur, Msgr. Peter Bürcher, issued a de facto ban on speaking to Eleganti in the matter of Coronavirus on the grounds that the auxiliary bishop would cause “confusion among the faithful and in public”. The official Corona narrative, which is known to be supported by most governments, but which is not known who invented it, were not to be disrupted.

 

The new bishop of Chur

Almost two years after the retirement of Bishop Vitus Huonder, Pope Francis today appointed a new Bishop of Chur. The appointment of the shepherd of such an old diocese takes place according to proper law. According to this, Pope Francis should have received a three-way proposal from the cathedral chapter and the 22 canons, should have chosen the new bishop. In November 2020, however, the cathedral chapter waived this privilege because no one could agree on a candidate. In this way, as in the more recent bishops, Francis made it possible for himself to make the decision that fell on Joseph Maria Bonnemain, priest of Opus Dei and himself a member of the cathedral chapter.

The Pope preferred a temporary solution, since Monsignor Bonnemain is 72 years old and has to offer his resignation in three years. Even in the event that the Pope should leave him in office beyond the canonical age limit, his term of office is likely to last for a maximum of five years.

Bonnemain is the son of a Swiss from the canton of Jura and a Catalan, which is why he was born in Barcelona. He studied medicine in Zurich and then philosophy and theology in Rome. In 1978 he was ordained a priest for Opus Dei, now a personal prelature. At the University of Navarre he studied canon law and worked since 1981 as a Church judge for the diocese of Chur. From 1983 to 1992 he was a member of the Delegation of the Holy See to the WHO in Geneva. 2002, he was appointed Swiss Bishop Conference of the Secretary for the Commission of Sexual Abuse. Since 2003 he has been a member of the Chur cathedral chapter. Most recently he worked as an official of the diocese and hospital chaplain.

The diocese of Chur is the only diocese in the world that has its own episcopal vicar for the matter of the traditional rite. This task has fallen since June 2015 to P. Martin Ramm from the Pristly Fraternity of Saint Peter. 

Until the enthronement of the new bishop, the diocese is headed by the Apostolic Administrator Msgr. Bürcher. He announced that he would announce the date for the episcopal ordination and the inauguration as soon as possible.

Text: Giuseppe di Nar-
image: MiL

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

AMDG

Did Bishop Williamson Lie About Bishop Huonder at SSPX Episcopal Consecration?

Edit: Interestingly, there is no mention of this in the American or German Society pages.  Also, to be fair, Bishop Williamson only said it was “fairly certain” Bishop Huonder would be the consecrator.

"The Roman Catholic corporation of the Canton of Zurich, with its unjust attack on Bishop Huonder, is more likely to have damaged the concern to influence the Chur bishop election in its own right." 

By Roland Noé

Zurich (kath.net/rn) The Roman Catholic Corporation of the canton of Zurich (a structure created by the state, independent of the bishop, which collects and administers the Church-tax) has been publishing for some time verbiage against the diocese of Chur, which belongs to the Canton of Zurich. The existing bodies in other cantons are interested in remaining socio-politically in the majority in order not to jeopardize the Church-tax system. They fight, therefore, against Catholic positions like the celibacy or the Chrich’s teachings on sexual morality, which are not within the society’s majority. And they wish for the same reason a bishop willing to adapt to the spirit of the times, as in the diocese of Basel and St. Gallen.

In the run-up to the upcoming election of a new Bishop of Chur, the Zurich corporation had published several articles on its homepage in which the Holocaust denier [Oh, no!] Richard Williamson, who is excluded from the Society of St. Pius, spreads falsehoods, for example the assertion that the Bishop of Chur would serve on the past White Sunday to consecrate two bishops for the Society of Saint Pius X.

Now Williamson is spreading new falsehoods, and the Zurich Corporation is publishing these again on their homepage, which also serves as the mouthpiece for the Canton of Zurich Bishop Vicar of the diocese of Chur, Josef Annen.

This time, the Corporation homepage and the episcopal vicar  are claiming that the Bishop of Chur is an opponent of Pope Francis and wants to bring the Society back to the Catholic Church to harm the Holy Father.

At the request of kath.net, the diocese of Chur explains: "We are not commenting on the conspiracy theory of a Holocaust denier. We note, however, that Pope Francis wants to accompany and integrate rather than to exclude. In this sense, the Holy Father also wants to proceed with the Society of Saint Pius X and seek rapprochement. This wish is fulfilled by the Bishop of Chur through his contacts with the Society. Theories that construct a contrast between the wishes of the Pope and the diocese of Chur have no foundation.”

In the Vatican, it is an open secret that Pope Francis has maintained personal relations with the Society since his time in Argentina.

The Zurich corporation is therefore ill-informed and likely to have hurt with their attack on Bishop Huonder, rather with the intention to influence the episcopal election of Chur. The question remains whether the bishop vicar responsible for Zurich is behind the attack on his superior.

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

AMDG

Progressive Apparatchiks in Switzerland Threaten Split If They Don’t Get Reformist Bishop in Chur

The truth is that the anti-Church reforms would just cause the split. This is true for anyone who wants to change the Church using synodal or other ways - The Monday kick by Peter Winnemöller

Linz (kath.net) Episcopal election campaign is a strange term. Nevertheless, he somehow uses it to address the incidents in Zurich. To use funds of the Church for an anti-church action behind the back of the bishop, in fact, that is only possible in Switzerland. The state churches manage the funds, the bishops have no say. This is an untenable situation, against which, however, only a few bishops resist.

One who resists this is Bishop Vitus Huonder. Already immediately after his election he was attacked and slandered. The Left media had him in mind from the beginning. A bishop who represents the Church's teaching in faith and morals, is an abomination to the world.

The term of office of Bishop Huonder is coming to an end. He will be on duty until Easter, when he will soon be on retirement. The mice are already rehearsing the dance on the tables. Most recently, the Regional Vicar of Zurich, Josef Annen, who recently, together with Synodal President Counselor, Franziska Driessen-Reding, wrote an open letter to Pope Francis as an ad in various newspapers published at the expense of the Church.

The background is the desire to get a bishop in the diocese of Chur in the future, who is amenable to the national church and no longer tries to interfere. Where the future bishop should be in matters of faith is clearly visible in the contents of the open letter.

The age-old reform agenda of the mission of Church sexual morality, the democratization of the Church and the women's priesthood are embossed in the paid advertisement. In many places in the Church - like the synodal path of the DBK - it shows how constant drops slowly hollow the stone. But consider at this point that reforms that take place against faith and custom are not in the truth.

Reforms of this kind do not change the Church, they do not change the teaching and certainly not the faith. They only inevitably lead to schism. The would-be reformers know that, because it is not for nothing that in the open letter designed as an ad, a split is blatantly mentioned as a threat. It is perfidious to use separation as a pressure medium in this form. It is diabolical, therefore, where there are threats of a split demands for required reforms are not met.

The truth is that the anti-Church reforms would just cause the split. This applies to all who want to change the Church in synodal or other ways. They do not change the Church, they divide parts of the Church and take many of good faith into the spiritual abyss. That is the danger that must be counteracted.

After the term of office of the current bishop of Chur, it is therefore not important to have a bishop who is after the hearts of the reformists. A bishop is needed who can continue to proclaim the faith without any curtailment and who can and wants to defy the unhealthy ecclesiastical system in Switzerland.

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

AMDG

Bishop Huonder of Chur to Keep Contact With SSPX for The Vatican as He Retires

Acceptance of the age-related resignation of the 77-year-old Swiss bishop is expected shortly - Diocese Chur recently confirmed that Huonder is keeping contact with the Society for the Vatican

Edit: he’s been one of the most Catholic Bishops in Europe, who has remained astonishly in his post till past retirement in a hostile diocese run by professional Catholics in a hostile Church that destroys its best disciples and exults evil ones.

Vatican City (kath.net/KAP) Bishop Vitus Huonder of Chur was received on Monday by Pope Francis in private audience. Details of the conversation were not announced by the Vatican and the Swiss diocese. Vitus Huonder (76) has been Bishop of Chur since 2007; In April 2017, the Pope had extended his term by two years. As the acceptance of his resignation is expected shortly, on April 21 Huonder will complete his 77th year of life.

As the diocese confirmed at the end of January, Huonder wants to retire to Wangs in the canton of Sankt Gallen. There he will keep contact with the Society for the Vatican. The "Society of Saint Pius X" runs a school in Wangs, the "Institut Sancta Maria".

In January, Pope Francis dissolved the Vatican Commission "Ecclesia Dei" responsible for the dialogue with the Society of Saint Pius X and integrated its task into the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In the dispute with the Society, there were only differences in Church doctrine, and for this, only the Congregation itself was responsible, it was said in the Pope’s decree.

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMDG

Bishop Huonder's Retirement Postponed -- "It's a Complete Surprise"

Bishop Huonder

(Chur) "The surprise is complete," the reaction of a Swiss priest friend last night when he communicated the news. Bishop Vitus Huonder of Chur has had his retirement put off for another two years by Pope Francis. Hardly anyone reckoned with this confirmation, even those closest to the bishop.

Msgr. Huonder has been bishop of the oldest Swiss diocese since 2007. On the 21st of April, he completed his 75th year and submitted his resignation on the same day. "That's it," was what the same priest said ten days ago.

Yesterday, Bishop Huonder wrote a letter to "all priests, deacons and pastoral staff in the Diocese of Chur".

"On April 21, 2017, I offered Pope Francis my resignation as a diocesan bishop. In the meantime Pope Francis, after weighing all the circumstances, has already decided and told me that my resolution, now pro-doc, has now been accepted. 'Tunc', so 'then', will be Easter 2019. I will be able to work as a diocesan bishop for two more years."

The Bishop recalls that the Holy See also left his predecessor in the office, Monsignor Amédée Grab, who remained until the age of 77, and till an Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese was appointed until the election of a successor.

Since this was the course under Pope Benedict XVI., however, nobody had expected the usual procedure under Pope Francis. Last autumn, a campaign had been launched against Bishop Huonder, who was already seeking his successor. It was requested that no bishop at all be appointed.

The surprise is also "complete," since Bishop Huonder, with has opposed Amoris Laetitia with the "excellent" Pastoral letter "The Holiness of the Marriage", against the Kasperians and the ambivalent attitude of Pope Francis, who refuses to make a clarification. This faithful confession of the traditional faith and morality has met with little satisfaction in the past few months at the papal court.

Bishop Huonder wrote in his letter:

"The sign of confidence on the part of the Pope, which is connected with his decision, has stirred great gratitude within me. I will continue to use all my powers to continue pastoral service, together with our Auxiliary Bishop Marian, with all priests, deacons and pastoral staff, for the salvation of the souls and the well-being of the Church of Chur."

"I am grateful to Pope Francis for his decision favoring continuity for our diocese.  And I thank him for giving me the opportunity to continue and accompany non-completed work within the diocese as well as at other levels."

Bishop Huonder is the first diocesan bishop of the German-speaking world and beyond, who has appointed his own diocesan vicar to the faithful attending the Immemorial Roman Rite in his diocese. Since diocesan vicars are appointed by the incumbent bishop, the extension also applies to Father Martin Ramm of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter.

"The surprise is complete," as the Swiss friends repeated.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: Bishopric of Chur (screenshots)

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

Link to Katholisches...

AMDG

Diocese of Chur: Conflict Regarding the Successor of the Faithful Bishop Huonder Ignites

Progressive Insurrection in the Diocese of Chur

(Bern) Progressive Swiss Catholics are again attempting an uprising. Several movements have launched a  petition "It's enough!" [Es Reicht!]. In this way they demand the appointment of an Apostolic Administrator for the Bishopric of Chur by Pope Francis. The leader of the insurrection is the regional Vicar General, Martin Kopp, who has been responsible for central Switzerland since 2002.

The Diocese of Chur in Switzerland is one of the oldest and most important diocese in the German-speaking world. It also includes Romansh Switzerland and the Italian valleys of Graubünden. Once, parts of Tyrol and Vorarlberg and Liechtenstein belonged to the diocese.

Progressive fight against Chur's Bishop

Not only is Graubünden subject to the Bishop of Chur, but also other Swiss cantons, namely Schwyz, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Uri, Glarus, and the canton of Zurich, which has been reformed for 500 years and has been liberal for 200 years. This has not a little to do with the attacks by progressive Church circles against the Chur bishops, which have lasted for decades.

Bishop Wolfgang Haas, who was enthroned in 1990, had so much resistance against him that the Vatican withdrew him. For this, the Principality of Liechtenstein was separated from Chur and designated as an independent diocese. In order to express the disapproval with the Swiss progressives, the Vatican made Vaduz an Archdiocese and Haas its first archbishop.

As Bishop of Chur he was followed for ten years by the hermit Benedictine Amédée Grab. The Liberals, whom he tried to involve, calmed down somewhat, but then, with all the greater intolerance, have rebeled against Bishop Vitus Huonder, who has been in office since 2007.

Yesterday: Own Diocese of Zurich - Today: no Bishop

Occasions are always found when the basic consensus is denied, because a "different" church has long been desired. Since it was not possible to force Bishop Huonder to his knees, the canton of Zurich wants to secede and establish itself as an independent diocese. 30 per cent of Zurichers profess themselves as Reformed, 27 per cent as Catholics.

Regional Vicar General Martin Kopp, the author of the initiative "Es reicht!"

On April 21, 2017, Bishop Huonder will complete his 75th year of life. In Chur no one really expects that Pope Francis would extend his office.

It's about the succession. The progressive church circles dream of a "reformed" church, which is remote from Rome. In this picture the Pope is especially disturbing to these same circles, even if he is called Francis. For this reason, there is a demand for a separate diocese of Zurich has now been abandoned. Chur is an ancient diocese, Zurich would be a new diocese and would be more directly under the supervision and control of Rome. They do not want that at all!

This is why the new suggestion by Bishop Sikar Kopp is not to appoint a successor but to appoint an apostolic administrator. The Progressives want to prevent a second bishop Haas or a second Bishop Huonder and would like to have a bishop separate from Rome.

"Without a new beginning the Diocese of Chur is dead," exclaimed episcopal vicar Martin Kopp on 24 October in the Daily News, which repeatedly turned to attacks against Bishop Huonder and the Catholic Church. "It can not go on like this so far," says Kopp, who had already conflicted in the past with his bishop and  closest collaborators. He has defended "homo-blessings" and liturgical slapstick.

"Tensions" provoked by Progressives

The faithful Chur Society of Priests replied on the 26th of October that although we share Kopp's view that "tensions in the diocese of Chur" must be overcome.  "However, regardless of whether the diocese is governed by a newly elected bishop or an apostolic administrator, this person must fulfill the mission of the Church, which every bishop assumes upon his consecration." And further: "To reduce tension in the diocese of Chur, Chur's priesthood pleads for more prudence and self-reflection, with the help of the Gospel. The latter moves us to contradict the regional Vicar-General: Hope dies last, and for the diocese of Chur, the proverb is that those declared dead live longer!"

The "tensions" in the Bishopric of Chur are attributed above all to the public-law Landeskirchen. Their existence is a peculiarity of Switzerland, which is connected with the Reformation and with the victory of the Liberals in 1847. In contrast to the state, the diocese is not a corresponding partner (church tax, parish property, finances, annual budget, employees), but to the canton which  a  corporation in public law, called a "Landeskirche", which must be democratically constituted by law. What applies to the cantonal level continues in every parish. In addition to the church-legal structure there is a state-church structure parallel to all levels (federation, cantons, municipalities).

In the historically Catholic cantons, the church has more room for maneuver. In the historically reformed cantons, including Zurich, the Protestant constitution is imposed upon the Catholic Church. The tone is not given by the diocese, but by the public-law body "Roman-Catholic Landeskirche". As is known in the Catholic Union in the Federal Republic of Germany and in Austria, the bodies of these committees are very progressive. And 500 years of the formation of the Reformation seem to encourage new elements of Protestantism imposed upon parts of the Catholic Church.

The progressive initiative wants petition to continue by the end of the year, then the petition, including signatures will be handed over to the Apostolic Nuncio and the Swiss Bishops' Conference.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: Diocese of Chur / SMM (screenshots)
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
Link to Katholisches...
AMDG

Potato Sack Bishops Form Potato Sack Priests

For the rebellious 68er old progressivists, who have the say in today's
modern Church, the potato sack bishop is no danger. On the contrary he serves
as welcome cover.

(Berlin / Vienna / Bern) It is now nearly twelve years since Don Reto Nay, priest of the diocese of Chur in Switzerland, the spiritual father of Kath.net (1999) and Gloria.tv (2006), wrote the essay "St. Pölten is Lays Between Linz and Vienna ". In it he dealt in a section with priestly vocations, seminarians and bishops. His thoughts were related in a special way to the situation of the Catholic Church in the German language. They have lost none of their relevance. The title for the section  was chosen by the editors.

Potato sack bishops produce potato sack-priest

by Don Reto Nay

A bishop who wants to serve real peace, must take care of  order first. How will  notice whether or not he has put his diocesan house in order? It is in Matthew: if the fruits are fine.

And the first and best fruits of a diocese are their seminarians. Therefore, one needs to see when a bishop is good, not to listen to his sermons - paper is patient. You have to take a look into the seminary and consider the seminarians. A tree is recognized by its fruits, so you recognize the Bishop in the seminarians that he has or has not.

Earlier, this may still have been different: But today a young person will only see the diocesan bishop probably twice before choosing a diocese: Election Day is payday here. Of  the old Catholic parties there was a saying that they have a potato sack they can nominate and that this would have been elected without any problems. It remains to be seen whether this would be different today, not only in the Catholic parties. But one thing is certain. In the church, the potato sack policy no longer works. No sensible young person nowadays promises his life to a potato sack in his hands. If a seminarian does anyway, you will need to ask yourself, are there unhealthy motives.

The tragedy is that the potato sack bishop in the Church today is for a long time not a discontinued model, but is considered by those in charge as really a Godsend. It is popular because he stays put in one  and then is no longer to be stirred. It is breathed  that be brings no "unrest" in his immobility - sin of sins transgressing that which is owed to the times - in the diocese. One reason is that he has the press on his side. These praise the potato sack as the father of peace. The fact that Christ came to earth in order to be a sign of contradiction, to bring the peace of God - not of this world -  remains an exegetical detail. In everyday pastoral, one follows another, slightly different Bible verse:  I came to cast tire extinguishers on  the earth.

Why are potato sacks popular with the press? Because they do not go to war. When the wolf breaks into the herd, they will not sound the alarm to produce any unnecessary anxiety. The main thing, the wolf does depend on  his business not being declared from the rooftops. What I do not know will not hurt me. For the rebellious 68er old progressives who have a say in the Church  today, the potato sack Bishop is no danger. On the contrary, he serves as a welcome cover. For a potato sack suppresses only those who have the misfortune to be under him: the obedient.

Only one thing a potato sack bishop lacks: seminarians.

No one will sell his birthright for a dish of potatos. The price to become a priest is high, much higher than for any other profession. A pious, generous and intelligent young man will gladly pay the price for the pearl of the priesthood. But will he be smart enough to distinguish a sham from the original. Here the problem starts. The potato sack-Bishop is a sham, and he represents a fake packaged priestly formation and fake packaged priesthood.

What is to be thought  of a young man, who is resigned to five years of  priestly formation at kindergarten level, five years without complaint to being occupied with theological chat rooms, for whose examination it is sufficient that spend the night before studying in advance, and then voluntarily into a disappearing and wind addicted pastoral  where every smallest renewal attempt is a serious crime, through which one gets into the deadly reputation of being a "conservative"?

Nobody would have ever known the names of St. Dominic, St. Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer or Saint Teresa of Avila today, had these saints then embarked on such a puppet show. St. John Vianney  struggled in his priestly formation even with the Latin language. What hurdles await the modern seminarist, except that it is more difficult from year to year, to get up in the morning? Potato sack bishops produce potato sack priests. But that seems to escape everyone's notice: the main thingis that the sacrosanct peace is not disturbed. This has the disadvantage that no young person who has his mind still halfway together, may reasonably bring himself to take something like this up. A generous intelligent young man rightly expects an intelligent and challenging training and a job that is more than a sandbox game. Of reputable deals in the private sector there are enough!  Would the latter nowadays  operate in the style of our dioceses and parishes, we would have long ago become the grass skirt wearing residents of third world countries.

Don Reto Nay: St. Pölten is Between Linz and Wien, Theologisches, Vol 34, No. 8, August 2004, Sp 463f.

Image: Sant'Alessandro (Screenshot)

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

Link to Katholisches...

AMDG

From Empty Seminaries to Full Seminaries -- Ordinations at the Society of St. Peter

(Wigratzbad) Last Saturday, Bishop Vitus Huonder of Chur ordained 11 subdeacons of the Fraternity of St. Peter. At the same time the Bishop of Chur ordained 15 seminarians in the traditional rite to minor orders as porters and lectors. Five seminarians were ordained exorcist and acolyte. All ordinands are preparing for the priesthood at the International Seminary of the Society St. Peter of Peter (FSSP) in Wigratzbad in the diocese of Augsburg near Lake Constance.

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This coming February 20th, there will be another 13 subdeacons  ordained at the second international seminary of the FSSP in the US. "Therefore, there is a realistic prospect that in 2017, 24 new priests are to be ordained for this old ritual community," said Messa in Latino .That would be twice the average of the past twelve years.

"Perhaps we should make the Holy Father aware that there are not just empty seminaries, but also full seminaries when he complains of the lack of priests next time. And that there will be a reason when there are the seminaries of tradition that are full," says Messa in Latino alluding to the speech of Pope Francis last February 1st, to participants at the conclusion of the Year of Consecrated Life .

At the Pontifical Mass, Bishop Huonder was assisted by Father Arnaud Evrat, the General Secretary of the Society of St. Peter, Father Jean-Laurent Lefevre, House Master of the Establishment at Fontainebleau, and Father Christian  Jäger, Administrator for the Apostolate of the Society of St. Peter in Munich.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Bild: FSSP Wigratzbad (Screenshots)

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

Link to more photos @ Katholisches...

AMDG

Bishop Huonder Receives Death Threat

The shepherd has consulted the police about to a letter to him with a bullet.

Zurich (kath.net/ KNA) The Bishop of Chur Vitus Huonder was apparently threatened after his comments about aberrosexuality. The dioese has been advised by the police about the safety of the bishop, said the "Neue Zürcher Zeitung" (Sunday). Among others Huonder had received an anonymous threatening letter with a bullet, diocese spokesman Giuseppe Garcia told the paper. The diocese has ruled out criminal charges. The bishop will be praying for those who threatened him.

Huonder had cited in a lecture in Fulda on July 31, among other biblical passages from the Old Testament, the Book of Leviticus. This calls sexual acts between people of the same sex an "abomination" and that they are to be "put to death". These passages quoted alone, said Huonder, "would be enough to give the issue of homosexuality a right turn from the perspective of faith." This triggered strong criticism. Subsequently, the Bishop of Chur apologized "to all people" who "felt hurt" by his remarks on the subject of abberrosexuality. His lecture on marriage, family and sexuality was at one point, "not thought out," he told the Swiss tabloid "Blick". He would now "comment in more detail and the whole presentation when he submits it for further review." (C) 2015 Catholic News Agency KNA GmbH. All rights reserved. Any media use and forwarding only under written agreements with CBA allowed. Photo: (C) kath.net/ sb Link to Kath.net... Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

AMDG

Swiss Catholic Priest Blesses Aberrosexual Couple

Switzerland: "The form of this blessing was not significantly different from a wedding," said the responsible priest - Catholic News Agency "kipa" refers in its report to the Synod of Bishops on Marriage and Family.

Bürglen (kath.net) Wendelin Bucheli, Catholic priest in Bürglen / Diocese of Chur, has announced the blessing of two lesbian women in the village church. "Its form is not that significantly different from a wedding", Bucheli explained to the "Urner Weekly". He was first asked to and had then dealt with the question of blessing same-sex unions, he did this by speaking with a fellow Jesuit priest. The crucial question for him was: "Can I carry out blessing in the name and will God?" But, "today, there are animals, automobiles and even weapons blessed. Why should we not bless a pair that wants its path together with God?" said the priest according to "Urner Weekly." According to "Radio Pilatus" the pastor had not informed the diocese of Chur.

The international Catholic press agency "kipa" also reported this blessing ceremony for a gay couple. According to 'kipa', the the pastor had informed the whole parish team, the churches and the parish council about it, all are supposed to have supported his decision. "Kipa" explained in the concluding paragraph under the subheading "What the Synod of Bishops Told," continues: "In the Final Declaration on October 18th of the Synod of Bishops on Marriage and Family it is said that, men and women with homosexual inclinations are to be treated with kindness and sympathy.' There should be avoided any form of unfair discrimination' against them. The question is, what pastoral approach is appropriate in the concrete situation in light of the Church's teaching, which meant that it gives no foundation 'to produce between homosexual unions and the plan of God on marriage and family analogies, and not in another sense.'" The "kipa" is co-financed by the Catholic Church of Switzerland, but according to their self representation they work in editorial independence.

In a comment in "Urner Weekly" you can read in that "a majority of Catholic bishops had recently approved at the family Synod in Rome, an opening towards homosexual people." The "Urner weekly" interpreted this as a positive signal that encourages "Pastoral assistants like Venelin Bucheli to open their arms to take care of all Catholics. And that's good!

Swiss Bishops' Conference Insults Bishop of Chur

Diocese of Chur in Pressecommunique: "The diocese hopes that the Bishop of Chur will not be the matter of the subject of discussions of the SBK Bureau, but be one of the participants."

Bishop Vitus Huonder at Pontifical High Mass

Givisiez (kath.net) Scandal in the Catholic Church of Switzerland. The Secretariat of the Swiss Bishops Conference has publicly snubbed the Bishop of Chur, Vitus Huonder. A conversation between a delegation of the anti-Rome-grouping "It's Enough!", which has constantly criticized the Bishop of Chur Vitus Huonder, and the Bureau of the Swiss Bishops Conference (SBK) a few days ago has been interpreted in Chur as a snub. Reason: Bishop Huonder had not been invited to participate. In a pressecommunique presented by Giuseppe Gracia, media relations officer of the diocese of Chur, read that the Diocese hopes "that the bishop of Chur will not be the subject of  the discussions at the SBK Bureau, but one of the participants. The bishop recalled  a communique dated the 5th of March, in which he noted that all Swiss bishops are united in faith."  [Obviously, they don't.]

On the other hand, there should be enough disagreement "from the initiators of 'It's Enough' to show fundamental disunity in essential elements of the faith. Therefore, a meeting will also take place with representatives of the Alliance in Chur. The goal will be a dialogue that does not stop at persons, but is creating clarity about where the initiators expect something different than what is the official teaching of the Church. 

Recently, a disagreement between the initiators and the Episcopal Conference was demonstrated again. The Bishop of Chur has said he was "confident that the way a factual work-up can demonstrate that it is not about people or on questions of communication style, but specific to the rejection of concrete beliefs".  Bishop Huonder is planning a meeting in Chur, which will serve the debate on these issues.

Link to kath.net...

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

AMDG

Church Bishop Huonder Named as Apostolic Visitor to FSSP

Bishop Huonder was commissioned by the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei" with the Apostolic Visitation of the Fraternity of St. Peter - Chur media relations officer described this for kath.net a "sign of confidence"

Chur-Vatican (kath.net) The Bishop of Chur, Vitus Huonder, was commissioned by the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei" with the Apostolic Visitation of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter. This was announced in a press release by the Diocese of Chur on Friday. It is to be a routine Visitiation as it is done in other communities. Bishop Vitus Huonder will act as key visitor, in cooperation with other agents in Europe and the USA.

Giuseppe Gracia, Media Officer of the Diocese of Chur, commented for kath.net: "Among the numerous possible bishops of the universal Church that are eligible for such a task in question, Rome has selected the Bishop of Chur. This is a big vote of confidence at a crucial time, about which  we are extremely pleased. "This decision also shows" the diplomatic wisdom of the Apostolic See," continued Gracia. "It is known that the bishop of Chur enjoys the trust of  the Fraternity of St. Peter  and that the visitation will take place under his leadership, with open doors." 

Bishop Huonder thanked the Apostolic See you for the trust they have placed. He will be preoccupied  by the visitation till the end of 2014.  A formal procedure of the Fraternity of St. Peter  will ensure that the bishop may still handle his main tasks in the diocese during this time and to be represented in some areas.

 The Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei" is responsible for the care of different communities, which use the extraordinary form of the Roman rite. The President of Ecclesia Dei is the prefect of the CDF, Gerhard Ludwig Müller, Cardinal. 

Pope Francis and the Bishop of Chur Vitus Huonder Photo (c) Diocese of Chur

Link to kath.net...

AMGD

Priestly Ordinations in Germany by Bishop Huonder of Chur, Switzerland

This is from Accion Liturgica: The embattled Bishop Vitus Huonder, Bishop of Chur (Switzerland), has conducted ordinations in the Immemorial Mass of All Ages for the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, in Lindenberg, Lindau, Germany, on June 29th, the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. FSSP

Swiss Parishes Accused of Illegal Handling of Church-tax Dollars

Edit:  the battle continues in the interesting Diocese of Church against the corruption of the Church-tax system which allows a bloated Old Liberal bureaucracy to oppress the Canton’s Catholics.  It’s an important battle as paying your Church-tax is a matter of Church membership in some parts of Europe.  The local Bishop has already indicated that being designated as a Catholic for tax purposes need not be the same as being a Catholic and that Catholics may opt out of the system if they wish.  Hardly surprising since so much of the official apparatus actually undermines the Church and the Bishop himself.

Schwyz, 04/08/13 (Kipa) Hot heads could be attending the next meeting of the Catholic Canton Swiss Church Council of 26 April. Delegates are confronted with the accusation of breaking laws because some Church congregations have withdrawn funds from Democratic scrutiny. The accusation comes from the former president of the Cantonal Administrative Court, Werner Bruhin. Today he faces the "Legal Department" of the Cantonal Church.

Aerial View of Schwyz  (Image: de.academic.ru /)

The Cantonal Church Council has determined that provide various parishes have made "significant contributions" to ecclesiastical foundations, writes Bruhin in the "Annual Report 2012" of the Cantonal Church. The money would not serve the ongoing maintenance of buildings, but inserted in endowment funds. This action by the church council is viewed as "problematic" if not "inadmissible”.

This “Fund” [Fondierung] approach undermines the principle of fiscal sharing. The purpose of which would be lost if communal revenue sharing funds of parishes and thus revenue sharing contributions are marked for "reinvestment" in favor of third parties, in this particular case, for the use of foundations. This “Fund" is contrary to the Budget Law, which advances in specialized lending are allowed only if the assigned revenue expenditure is temporarily covered. It is only permissible means for the ongoing effort to be devoted to the endowments, but not for Funds [Fondierung].

"Chur" tricked?

The Cantonal Constitution abiding by the Cantonal Church and the Church communities, have organized themselves according to democratic principles, Werner Bruhin wrote. If resources are moved to a parish church foundation, “then the parish can no longer have it available." Rather, the Board of Trustees determine the use of funds.

These have also have to “audit the episcopal approval for decisions". This goes beyond the current management, as had been agreed between the Diocese of Chur and the Cantonal Church. Furthermore, is the “the investment of collected tax funds in stock is prohibited,” insists Bruhin.

Church taxpayers are snubbed

The proceeding of the congregations could be met by many Catholics on its head and urge them to leave the Church, warns Bruhin. The tendency of the church exit could be increased, "if only Catholics bound to the Church are loosely related to taxpayers’ money being hoarded in funds over which the parish has no determination.”

According to annual report 2012, Switzerland's Cantonal Church late last year had about 400 less members than at the beginning of the year, although the population has increased slightly in the Canton. On 1 January 2013, the Catholic Church had just over 96,000 members in the Canton of Schwyz.

Bruhin hopes that the leaders of some parishes improve its "understanding of constitutional and democratic process." The Cantonal Church Council hopes that the situation will improve by "cooperation and education" and "a mechanism of sanctions will not have to be employed.”

(Kipa / gs / am)

Link to KIPA...

Bishop of Chur Strikes Back: Taking Legal Action Against Institutional Old Liberals

Edit: last week, the Bishop sent his Vicar General to talk to 'Adebar' and they ignored him.  Now things are getting real.  This could create a model for dealing with institutional Liberal organizations promoting things hostile to Catholicism throughout the Church.  Bishop Huonder is a courageous pathfinder, despite being attacked and maligned by his own Diocesan paper and subordinates, he's not letting go.

Resistance!

Satan governs:  The association counsels pregnant mothers on the selection of child butchers -- and receives money for that from Church-tax.

(kreuz.net) Bishop Vitus Huonder of Chur is taking legal measures against the so-called "Catholic National Church of Cantons" (Katholisches Landeskirche von Graubunden)

This was reported by his Diocesan website today.

Murderous Haste

The Canton "National Church" is a quasi-state institution, which is not administrated independently of the episcopal part of the Church-tax money.

It supports the dehumanizing pregnancy counseling association 'Adebar'.

In which a"National Church" member even occupies the board.

The blood of children flows

The association offers pregnant mothers a selection of child butchers.  It distributes the criminal 'after death pill' and the contraceptive coil.

For mothers under 16, they provide death passes which are required for a child to undergo an abortion in Switzerland.

In the the work of prevention and sexual education it contradicts the moral and ecclesiastical doctrine.

A legal review

For years the Bishop has unsuccessfully protested against the support of child murderers with money from Church-tax.  Now it will be handled publicly.

"That's where the Church has been brought into contact with an organization "Catholic National Church of the Cantons" against Her will, which works in contradiction of the Catholic Church in various regards, the Bishop of Chur has authorized his General Vicar with a concluding legal review"  -- it says in the statement.

There is a question if it will be allowed in Switzerland, that Church-tax bodies may support organizations contradicting its own established goals, which clearly contradict Church teaching.

The legal action related to this finding is being evaluated at this time.

Link to kreuz.net...