Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck Criticizes Pope Benedict's Concept of Family

(Essen) In January 2012, Pope Benedict XVI defended the family at the new year's reception for the Diplomatic Corp in the Vatican.  This questioning poses a threat "for human worth and the future of humanity", said the Pope.

The special protection of marriage and family was also the Leitmotiv of the papal visit to Spain (From the 8th of July to the 9th 2009) of the 5th World Meeting of Families there.  In Valencia the Pope said, the defense of family values is "the best way, in order to go against widely spread hedonism, who reduces the relationship between people to banality, and robs their authentic virtues and beauty."

In an interview with KNA, Ruhr Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck, criticized those who defend the traditional family yesterday:  "The earlier roles , where the husband is employed and the woman principally cares for the children doesn't exist any more.  To want to hold onto it, would be in fact social romanticism.  The educational possibilities of women and their involvement in the work process have fundamentally altered the family picture." In the interview the Bishop adopted the anti-family and anti-child positions of the business lobby, according to which the woman must be employed around the clock as a force for the economy.  Msgr Overbeck promotes the complete care of children out of house.  He did not plead only for the building of nurseries for under three year olds, but he requiests nurseries, which could also receive children at night.

Bishop Overbeck expressed himself as an economic lobbyist and also adopted the typical scheme of argument which attacks the family out of interests in profit:  "Surely there are certain areas for a labort shortage, which can be avoided by the building of more nurseries.  But on the other side it is good for a political answer to new challenges for the family.  Many women want both, to be mothers and pursue a job. I understand that."  In one statement Overbeck conveyed himself so far such as only economic lobbyists and those in public policy say, that to one a woman is in view of the "labor shortage" buttoned down,  further that mother, not only bears her children, but would like to care for them and raise them herself, is not realizable any longer.  Finally,  man will be reduced to a mere consumer, who lives to work, in order to consume.

Link to katholisches...

Swiss Army Prepares for Unrest in Europe

On the Left: Ueli Maurer is concerned for the security of
Switzerland (Photo: Flickr/Bundeswehr)

Switzerland estimates powerful unrest in Europe because of the Euro-crisis and expects to increase its defense of national borders.  Maneuvers are preparing for the serious case of unrest, demonstrations and refugees.


The Swiss Army expects a dramatic escalation in the situation with EU states locked in crisis with effects on the security of Switzerland.  This was reported by "Schweitzer Zeitung" on Sunday.  The reason:  because of diverse austerity measures the armies in southern European states are weakened.  Therefore the modernization of neighboring militaries remain on hold.  Thus, if the armies were weakened, then the states of Europe could be liable.  The Swiss Defense Minister Ueli Maurer said this Sunday during a meeting:  "I will not rule out that we we will need the army in the coming years."

The Defense Department VBS shares Mauerer's views.  The European crisis increases the potential for violence.  In Spain, Greece and Italy, massive unemployment  and radicalization of the population is threatening.  So regard is given to the warnings of the Greek Premier Antonis Samaras.

Because Switzerland fears intrusion of possible unrest on its soil, it is arming:  100,000 soldiers, 5 billions euro for military spending and the combat jet Gripen are planned for the defense of the Confederation.  Against potential unrest, demonstrations and streams of refugees from neighboring European neighbor states, the 2,000 highest officers have been preparing with the maneuver "Stabilo Due".  Army Chief of Staff Andre Blattmann has prepared for that reason, with four military police battalions and about 1,600 men to secure four areas on the national border.

Link to Deutsche Wirtschafts Nachrichten...