The Dutch Bishops Then and the German Bishops Now Want to Destroy Priestly Celibacy

Pope Paul VI defended priestly celibacy with a remarkable speech on February 1, 1970.

(Rome) Exactly 50 years ago, Pope Paul VI. gave an important speechfor priestly celibacy. The reason for this was attacks by bishops who wanted to abolish celibacy. The parallels are obvious: Back then it was Dutch bishops, today they are German bishops. The geographic and linguistic direction from which the attack comes has remained the same. The difference is in the attitude of the ruling pope. Pope Francis' word during his visit to Colombia that he would never agree to an end to celibacy was - as experience shows - unfortunately worth nothing. This statement is hard and painful. Who would have thought of reporting it of a pope, but what is worth a word if the opposite of that is done

The absence of a formal act of consent is ultimately irrelevant when it is initiated, encouraged, encouraged and tolerated in practice, which is denied according to words, see the behavior in connection with the admission by Amoris laetitia of people in serious sin to communion, see the behavior towards the German Bishops' Conference in connection with the admission of Protestant spouses to Communion, see the behavior in connection with the Amazon synod .

In March 2017, in an interview with the weekly newspaper Die Zeit, Francis declared his willingness to speak about the admission of married priests. The same Francis, a few months later, on September 9, 2017, in Colombia, appeared to be vigorously defending the sacramental priesthood - and also celibacy - in front of a mass audience that was less liberal than the readership of the Die Zeit. That there are no vocations at the present time is a "fairy tale," thundered Francis:

"And don't come here to tell me: 'No, of course, there aren't that many calls for a special consecration because - that's clear - with this crisis we are experiencing ...' Do you know what that is? Are these fairy tales? Is that clear? Even in the midst of this crisis, God calls."

Cardinal Ouellette Criticizes German Bishops’ Push for Laicisation

Plans to include laypersons in a reform process have sparked anger in the Vatican. The Catholic Church in Germany is now on a head-on collision course with Rome.

The German Bishops' Conference received a stern warning from the Vatican over planned reform consultations, it was revealed on Friday.

The letter from Rome criticised the German Church's "synodal path," which is due to begin in December. The initiative is meant to deal with topics such as celibacy, sexual morality, abuse of power and the role of women in the church, as well as coming to terms with abuse cases. 

The Vatican's assessment, written by Cardinal Marc Oullet, who heads the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, was also especially critical of the fact that the Conference had included the Central Committee for German Catholics (ZdK) in the process. [We Are Church people in Germany. The usual over educated liberals and academic elites who are gradually graying into incoherence.] 

This means that laypersons will have a voice alongside the clergy. [No, it just means that professional Catholics will impose a progressive narrative that most Catholics in the pew don’t care about.]

https://www.dw.com/en/vatican-rebuffs-german-bishops-over-reform-proposals/a-50423772

AMDH

Quo Vadis: President of German Bishops' Council Wants to Give the Church to Prince of this World

Attempt to take stock after the Spring Plenary Meeting of the German Bishops' Conference. A kath.net commentary by Dr. Michael Schaefer to statements by Cardinal Marx and Bishop Bode

Hildesheim (kath.net) The German bishops and with them German Catholicism have stood against each other for many years in a growing tension. On one side is the felt the compulsion to defend Catholic doctrine within the meaning of the two previous Popes, and on the other hand, the desire to find a place for social development of the nation. This feeling of tension was reinforced by two other factors: one is the persistent depression in the face of accelerating and organizational measures barely glossing over the decline of Church life; on the other hand, the pressure of a predominantly 'reform-oriented' ecclesiastical system.

Ever since the introduction of the so-called dialogue process ("so-called" because it was played out with handpicked representatives of the ecclesiastical establishment largely behind closed doors) it became apparent that the willingness continue to bear the tension described, was on the wane. It suddenly become known by the two family synods in the world Church, that the question of divorced and remarried presented itself in the eyes of many bishops as the opportunity of a pastoral accommodation for one of the "hot potatoes" without making a too substantial shift from the teaching of the Church. It must have become all the harder after the Synod of last autumn in the insight tha a clear "yes" required for the proposed new features, as the promised majority (90% + x) of the world Church, was not possible.

With the Spring Plenary Assembly ended, the bishops have decided, and probably also irreversibly, started to take the bull by the horns. It is now clear that the German episcopate will take in the question of the divorced and remarried quite independently of the Synodal discussions in October in its own way. The battle cry of "We are not branches of Rome" can in make no room for interpretation in this matter.

The bishops should be clear that the "pastoral solution" to the question of the divorced and remarried can only be a beginning of the end for much of Catholic sexual morality. Because this is so in consideration of an oversized ball and chain for all those who want to be on equal footing with the surrounding society. Bishop Bode has with his notification on the necessary evaluation of cohabitation before marriage, a clear indication given that it - and certainly not just him - there there is a mandatory need for a program of increasing acceptance.

One would severely miss the importance of the meeting at Hildesheim, if they confined their views on the question of the divorced and remarried. Cardinal Marx (including obviously preeminent among the potential "dissident" bishops of Regensburg, Passau and Eichstätt) not only brought this issue forth with his brothers, but staged a coup in a major way. "The great history of Christianity is not behind us but before us" - this is not just a pithy statement, but an expression of a quite specific vision.

According to this vision it is from now on that Christianity will not come from the past, to read the tradition, but to design the future "experimentally". Faith cannot "be kept as a treasure", for the Church had rather take in view its upcoming world-historical mission: to be "useful for the unity of the human family." In the globalized world, it needs a religion that would bring together people from different backgrounds and to understand and moderate social tensions associated with the process of globalization. And no religion is better suited for this task than Christianity. "A globalized, universal church in a globalized world."

One can not deny the brilliance of this vision and the optimism with which it is presented.

The church that doesn't take itself too seriously, but is completely absorbed in the service of humanity - doesn't that sound wonderful? What role can it play faced by such tasks, yesterday the mood still hard pressing with facts about church attendance, lack of priests, etc?

The Church as an entirely positive, respectful, understanding, life-companion of individuals in small and humanity at large - does not cut through the Gordian knot of an ailing institution at a stroke? Can not the Church apparatus happily gather again behind its chiefs under this program? An inveterate Philistine who does not follow that and rejects the new epoch! And yet it is probably inevitable that the pathway outlined here is critically examined.

Will the morality of the Catholic Church really be disposed of so easily in questions of human sexuality? How much responsibility will be needed (according to Bishop Bode is now next to Scripture and Tradition as a further theological knowledge source!) Not to interfere with the "real life world of men"? And even if the program falls to the dregs (Fifty Shades of Grey salutations): who in this society is concerned that his sexual practice is calculated and approved by the Catholic Church?

Even more fundamentally, is the now constantly touted contrast between the dented and dirty Church, "out on the street" for the people and the Church, from "within" is thrilled with the pure, but ultimately useless truth would not be an arrant bugbear? Does not just their knowledge of the self stand based on this truth, the Church always enables them to be with us and fills them with a burning desire to bring these people from "outside" to "inside"? Is faith not yet a treasure and should it not be protected very well in a world, whose church assisted unity according to all experience violently opposes it? Can the Church still claim of itself to be the foundation established by the Lord Jesus Christ, if it does not quite specifically give the graces to the people who are entrusted to her alone, to whom the Lord entrusted them alone and whose charge wasn't just the membership of the human family, but is implied by the inclusion in the "Una Sancta"? Can they "live usefully" sub specie aetemitatis without recalling to the people every day, the hard evangelical truths of sin, justice, and to do penance?

And since when has the Church been at all interested in being part of "great historical moments?"

German Catholics will have to ask themselves whether they want to go with the upstream in the last days and the chosen path. Whether for the pottage of lentils, they will accept a "great future as a tool of the unity of the global human family" giving up the principle of the Apostle Paul, "tradidi quod et accepi - I have handed down to you what I have received."

Perhaps there are not so few who will come to the conclusion that: non possumus!

Dr. phil. Michael Schäfer was assistant of the Romano Guardini Chair of the LMU Munich and works in the management of a Stuttgart-based, international management consultancy. He leads the blog summa-summarum.blogspot.de

Link to Kath.net... Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com AMDG

Cardinal Marx Elected to Presidency of the German Bishops' Conference and Most Influential Religious Leader in Europe

(Bonn) At the meeting in Münster Spring Plenary Meeting of the German Bishops' Conference , Cardinal Reinhard Marx was chosen as the Archbishop of Munich-Freising, as expected, to be their new President Cardinal Marx, in the power of consciousness it is said, he has actually become presently the most influential religious leader in Europe. The term of office for the DBK President shall be six years.

The Archbishops of Munich and Freising and Cologne are traditionally contenders for the presidency of the DBK. Exceptions, such as the appointment of Cardinal Karl Lehmann (Mainz) and Robert Zollitsch (Freiburg) were expressions of complex internal conflicts between the bishops, but also with Rome. The archbishopric of Cologne is currently vacant, and therefore the largest German diocese could assert no influence in the election.

Cardinal Marx has been Chairman of the European Bishops' Conferences (COMECE) and as a member of the European representatives was appointed by Pope Francis to his C8 Cardinals' Advisory Committee. By choosing Cardinal Marx as DBK President, he has finally become the most influential religious leader in Europe.

In the conflict over the admission of remarried divorcees to Communion,  Cardinal Marx had intervened  last fall publicly against the Prefect of the CDF, Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller.   Müller had criticized the Freiburg Circular  for Family Ministry and recalled the Church's teaching on the Sacrament of marriage. Cardinal Marx evaluated Müller's opinion as an attempt to "end the discussion" and refused.

Archbishop Marx was elected on the fourth ballot, with "wafer-thin majority" (FAZ).

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: Vatican Insider

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

Link to Katholisches...

AMGD

Weltbild Scandal -- The Bishops Respond

"Lawyer's Whore" For Sale at Weltbild

(Augsburg) The range of Weltbild Publishing Group Ltd., one of the largest book retailers in Germany is in stark contrast to what its owner, the Catholic bishops, should preach. Last year's culmination of decades of public criticism for selling pornographic and esoteric books, and the book trade magazine book report was addressed the hypocrisy recently. Criticism from Catholic media or anxious letter from Catholics regularly remained unanswered. Including our recent issues, that we document here.

Weltbild has an approximate income of 1.6 billion Euros and is not only the largest of booksellers, but as industry insiders report, also the largest of porn distributors. The German book trade will be practically ignored by the Federal Censor for Media Dangerous to Youth. Pornographic print works, even in the most degenerate variants, even so are put on the list as violent youth-endangering media. Therefore, it is possible for retailers like Weltbild to buy and sell fully pornographic material unimpeded.

Our questions have supplied each of the shareholders of the Weltbild: Archbishop Reinhard Marx Joachim (Archdiocese of Munich and Freising, 13.2%), Bishop Felix Genn (diocese of Muenster, 2%), Bishop Wilhelm Schraml (diocese of Passau, 5.7 %), diocesan administrator Provost Dr. William Gegenfurtner (Regensburg Diocese 5.7%), Bishop Stephan Ackermann (Diocese of Trier 4.3%), Bishop Dr. Friedhelm Hofmann (Diocese of Würzburg, 5.7%), Bishop Henry Mussinghoff (diocese of Augsburg 11.7%), Bishop Dr. Konrad Zdarsa (diocese of Augsburg 11.7%), Archbishop Ludwig Schick (Archdiocese of Bamberg 5.7%), Bishop Gregor Maria Hanke (diocese of Eichstätt, 3.4%), Archbishop Cardinal Dr. Robert Zollitsch (Archdiocese of Freiburg 2.7%), Bishop Heinz Josef Algermissen (Diocese of Fulda 6.8%), Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck (soldiers pastoral Berlin 4.3%) and as the largest shareholder of the Association of Dioceses Germany (VDD) with 24.2%, whose chairman is Archbishop Zollitsch.

Only from a single Diocese was there a minimalist response. An employee of an episcopal General Vicar announced: "I have forwarded your inquiry to the press office of the German Bishops' Conference." But by the Secretariat of the German Bishops' Conference was no answer. Secretary of the Bishops' Conference, Father Hans Langendörfer SJ. The Jesuit himself sits on the board of the publishing group of the Weltbild and is also an executive of the Association of German Dioceses (VDD), which holds 24.2 percent of the world's shares. Because of the problems associated with the publishing group in recent years some dioceses had transferred their shares to the VDD. In the hands of multi-functionary Father Langendörfer the threads come together from around the Weltbild group and make him a key figure. As the Weltbild-scandal a year ago, reached a peak,  Chairman Klaus Donaubauer was forced to resign. The Bishops' Conference said,  in a completely inappropriate overreaction to completely disconnect from the publishing group and gave it the impression that a Christian bookstore is no longer possible today. In fact, since then nothing has happened. A lack of action seems to be the responsibility of Father Langendörfer as the most influential of decision-makers. As the premier owner-representative on the board, it determines the orientation of the Welt group. As secretary of the German Bishops Conference, he impedes critical questions.

1) How important is the income of Welt for the German dioceses?

2) Nurses and teachers must be members of the Catholic faith and make her private life according to Catholic principles. Do these principles also apply to the management of the publishing group of Weltbild? 

3) Are you aware that Weltbild is still actively selling pornographic and esoteric literature and advertisements? Are you aware of how high revenues and profits from sales of pornographic and esoteric titles are? 

4) Customers who purchase over weltbild.de and the world eBook reader literature, leave stored data. Do you know whether these data are collected and used for marketing purposes? Customers will have acquired a pornographic or esoteric titles, are other titles suggested of the same genre suggested to them? 

5) Are you familiar with the statement of Monsignor Michael Fuchs, deputy chairman of the Publishing Group GmbH Weltbild,  made to the "Daily Mail" (24 July 2012)? Was it discussed with you? If so,  should it be regarded as official approval for the resumption of the distribution of pornographic literature by the German bishops? 

6) Will the world of German dioceses address data provided by Catholics?

Link to katholisches...

From text by Linus Schneider

Berlin Attorney General Receives List "Revealing" Kreuz.net Operators

Edit: don't these people have more important things to do?  Kath.net hates kreuz.net and probably wants to see them go away.  Of course, they neglect details about the various accusers of kreuz.net which could be useful to an honest story.

Volker Beck loves
children @Gemeinfrei

Bruner Gmünder Verlag (Berlin) [A publisher of homosexual pornography.] has given a list of five Church associates who are closely associated with the "radical" website "kreuz.net".

Bonn (kath.net/KNA) The Bruno Gmünder Verlag (Berlin) has handed a list of names of five Church associates who are supposed to be closely associated with the website "kreuz.net". One lives in Germany, three in Austria, one in Switzerland, reported the Spiegel Online in consultation with the former religion instructor David Berger, now living in Berlin, who has been seeking out the figures behind the portal on his own. All five are associates of the Catholic Church.

Verlag Gmünder has offered previously a 15,000 Euro reward for information on the operator of "kreuz.net". According to Spiegel Online, over 600 letters from the publisher, of which 90 percent had been unusable, the rest were clearly helpful. The German Bishops Conference had distanced itself from the website, which describes itself as Catholic. Its secretary, Father Hans Langendorfer, had written to Green politician Volker Beck [A homosexual who has argued for the legalization of sex with children]: "It is our common goal, to bring this site to a quick end."

"Kreuz.net" operator shows itself as an "Initiative of an international private group of Catholics in Germany and overseas, who are mainly active in the Church". The website shows itself to give provocations to Protestants, Homosexuals, but also, even against Catholic Bishops and Laity, who are aligned with Liberal thought. [They forgot Jews]

The press speaker of the German Bishops' Conference, Matthias Kopp, stressed in the meantime that the Bishops' Conference has on its own initiative established contact with individual bishops, if they are aware of individuals in contact with kreuz.net who are employed by the Diocese.

Four names were brought forth by "Spiegel" in connection with kreuz.net, said Kopp in a statement, which appeared in the Katholischen Nachrichten-Agentur (KNA). So, Prelate Georg May is in connection with the Polish Archdiocese of Breslau. Fr. Reto Nay is a priest in Switzerland. There is also a religion teacher, Hubert Hecker who has already been published in 2010 by kreuz.net. The Mainz Pastor Hendrick Jolie, who was also identified by "Spiegel", has stressed himself, that kreuz.net had published his texts illegally, said Kopp.

Spiegel online also cited the Press Speaker of the Diocese of Mainz, Tobias Blum, with the words that Jolie in the mean time has been questioned about his connection with kreuz.net. "He has denied being in contact with kreuz.net and has expressly distanced himself", says Blum.

Berger, [A homosexual who accused the Pope of being himself one, was exposed by kreuz.net.] who had been dismissed by the Archdiocese of Cologne from his license to teach, explained on Sunday, that he knows a great deal about the technical aspects of the site. On some days, the server changes three times. There are suggestions from around that the operators are ecclesiastical associates.
Link...

German Bishops Wallow in the Hysteria

Editor: There are far greater crimes than the very rare cases of sex abuse which have been manipulated by the enemies of the Church. Like howling with the enemies of the Church and helping them, for example, by capitulating to their false assertions.

Germany's Roman Catholic bishops kneel down, ask for forgiveness over clergy's abuse

By The Associated Press (CP) – 7 hours ago

BERLIN — Germany's Roman Catholic bishops say they are "deeply ashamed" by the abuse of youth by clergy men and the church's failure to hold the perpetrators to account.

The country's bishops kneeled down in a symbolic gesture Monday and asked for God's forgiveness at the beginning of their annual spring meeting in the western city of Paderborn.

The head of the German Bishops Conference Robert Zollitsch said in his prayer that men of the church have abused youth and damaged their lives.

Link to AP...
H/t: pewsitter.

German Bishops Conference Snubs Catholics Loyal to Magisterium

"The Foundations of the Church must not be made subject to dialogue"

Editor: The Pro Ecclesia statement was made against the signatories of the Memorandum proposing married priests, women priests and relaxing the rules against divorced receiving Communion. The signatories of Pro Ecclesia stand against them and in fidelity to the Magisterium alongside the Bishops and the Pope. To date, 12,000 from all walks of life have signed it.

Petition Pro Ecclesia: Review in a Room at Welcome Hotel in Paderborn

Zollitsch will not personally accept the petition "Pro Ecclesia" -- The initiator of the petition maintains that the dialog article of over 12,000 Catholics is being considered as a "burden to the course of the Plenary Meeeting".

Paderborn (kath.net/pm) More than 12,000 Catholics of all kinds, including prominent philosophers like Prof. Robert Spaemann and Prof Hanna-Barbara Gerl-Falkovitz, have signed in the meantime the "Petition Pro Ecclesia" for the Bishops, since it was initiated last month in response to the "Memorandum" of alleged Catholic theologians desiring a change in Church teaching to suit the changing times.

This petition will reach the gathered Bishops at their Spring Plenary Meeting. The president of the German Bishops Conference, Archbishop Zollitsch, will not personally accept the petition. His secretary, Father Langendorfer SJ, has explained this. He will propose the "Dialog Article" on Wednesday "in a room at the Welcome Hotel" in Paderborn where representatives of the German Bishops will receive it. It is, as Langendorfer wrote to the Team of Petition Pro Ecclesia, customary as usual, that the secretary receives such petitions, as "not to burden" the course of the plenary meeting. The initiator of the Petition Pro Ecclesia, Peter Winnemöller expressed his "frustration and surprise" that the Dialog Article of 12,000 Catholics should be described as an imposition.

Link to kath.net...

Does One Have to Obey the Disobedient Bishops?

"On the practical level it is often the case that the appeal of Papal instructions are not used by the pastor locally."

Should You Obey the Pope More than the Bishops?

(kreuz.net) "How should pastors acquit themselves, when -- as it is mostly -- universal Church and particular-legal regulations contradict one another?"

Fr. Hendrick Jolie (46) asked this question in an interview for the most recent edition of the Catholic monthly 'Kirchliche Umschau'.

Father Jolie is a pastor in the Diocese of Mainz.

The clergyman is remainded then, that is at least in theory the particular law is subordinate to the universal: "On the practical level it is often the case that the appeal of Papal instructions are seldom used by the Pastor locally."

And what did the Cardinal say?

An example of this for Father Jolie is the incorrect translation of the words of consecration in the Novus Ordo Eucharistic Celebration.

The corrections that were ordered by the Pope four years ago have been thoroughly ignored by the old Liberal Bishops.

For this reason, the German 'Network of Catholic Priests' -- in whose executive committee Father Jolie sits -- had written to the Roman Congregation for Divine Worship.

They asked the Prefect of the Congregation, Antonio Cardinal Cañizares Llovera, to answer the question, "how we should conduct ourselves in this inner conflict".

Tactical Chess Move

'Kirchliche Umschau'  suggests that Bishop Gerhard Ludwig Müller of Regensburg recently pled for an implementation of the Papal wish.

Father Jolie held the push of the Bishop for a compromise, which the German Bishops and the Pope would consider a loss of face:

"Without wanting to step on Bishop Müller, the question is in any case allowed, why is it that it's been four years since this proposal has come to the table."

And:  "Why then these wordy explanations, when in any case, the new edition of the German Missal has already been tendered by Rome?"

For Father Jolie this progress is not understandable:  "There the 26 Diocesan Shepherds to complete a newly revised Missal  -- in which the they have a hearing where  "for the many" [as the Pope asked] is not, rather it remains "for all" still --  and finally one of these Bishops publishes an explanation in which he pleads for another translation of the words of consecration."

Fr. Jolie comments: "Here it appears -- if I may put it politely -- that there is not only a communications problem within the German Bishops Conference."

Link to the original German, at kreuz.net....