Conscious of His Power, But no Longer the Controversial German Voice in Rome |
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
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
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
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...
AMDG
Image: Focus.de/Diözese Passau / Facebook bishop Easter (screenshots)
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
Link to Katholisches...
AMDG