Synodal Path does not fully correspond to Catholic ecclesiology claims Cardinal

Cardinal Ouellet accuses the German bishops of having "equated" the opinion of laymen and bishops in decision-making

"I do not hide that I feel a certain relief, since this task is probably one of the most difficult of the Roman Curia"

"If I told you that the reform of the Curia has aroused enthusiasm, you would not believe me and you would be right. However, I believe that this reform will bear many fruits in the long term"

"Part of the method has been to equate the opinion of the laity and that of the Bishops in the decisions made democratically. It is a method that does not fully correspond to Catholic ecclesiology"

"I believe in the good sense of the Bishops that, in the long term, they will avoid a radicalization that would distance Germany from the universal Church"

Reputed to be Papabile (he obtained quite a few votes in the conclave in which Bergoglio was elected), Cardinal Marc Ouellet (Quebec, 1944) exclusively answers (some) of the questions that RD asked him, less than a month after he leaves the office of Prefect of the Congregation of Bishops, a veritable factory of ecclesiastical mitres, which he directed with an iron hand for the last 13 years. He leaves with "some relief" because his task "is one of the most difficult in the Roman Curia," a difficulty aggravated by the plague of clerical abuse.

The still prefect makes a robot portrait of the 'dream' bishop: sound doctrine, a leader who inspires trust, who is capable of teamwork and who radiates compassionate charity. In other words, someone "in whom we can trust to face the great contemporary questions with the spirit of the Church: the common home, social solidarity and peace in the world." For this reason, at this time, 3 out of 10 candidates do not accept the mitre.

The Canadian cardinal takes the opportunity to recall that the reforms of the Curia have not aroused enthusiasm and insists on the "unity of the power of order and jurisdiction" in the Church, while sending a "message" to the German bishops, whom he reproaches having "equated" the opinion of laymen and bishops in decision-making, "a method that does not fully correspond to Catholic ecclesiology."

How do  you  feel on the eve of leaving office?

I do not hide that I feel a certain relief, since this task is probably one of the most difficult of the Roman Curia and the difficulty has only increased since I took office on June 30, 2010 and will leave it on April 12, 2023 Among these difficulties, the issue of abuses has been one of the most complex.

What comes first in the election of Bishops?

The most important thing is a testimony of faith that inspires the community. In addition to solid doctrine, he must be a man with leadership qualities, a person who spontaneously inspires confidence and collaboration, a man who radiates compassionate charity, in whom we can trust to face the great contemporary issues in the spirit of the Church: the home common sense, social solidarity and peace in the world.

Is it more difficult today to find this profile of a Bishop?

Yes, certainly, because we live in multicultural environments where social values are sometimes contrary to the Catholic tradition. Interest in the Church has diminished, as has obedience to the bishop. Before, the arrival of the bishop on a pastoral visit was a sign of celebration. Today the bishop can travel and find few people waiting for him. Also in this aspect there is a change of time. Another element of the complexity of the task today comes from the demands of communication that make the task of the bishop more delicate. Consequently, many candidates do not feel up to the task. Since the beginning of my term I have seen the number of priests who do not accept the episcopal appointment increase from 1 in 10 to about 3 in 10 in 12 years.

Does the Curia fully support Pope Francis' reforms for the Church?

If I told you that the reform of the curia has aroused enthusiasm, you would not believe me and you would be right. However, I believe that this reform will bear many fruits in the long term. The inclusion of laity and nuns in government positions in the Church is important and does not go against the Second Vatican Council, which insisted on the unity of the power of order and jurisdiction and, therefore, on the link between priestly ordination and the Church government. However, this is not exclusive and the charismatic dimension of the Church must be developed today as a basis for participation in government. The Pope makes this discernment when he invites competent persons or persons with particular charisms to collaborate in the Roman Curia with an authority delegated by him.

Can the German synodal process lead to schism?

The German Synod process is an understandable reaction to the clergy sexual abuse scandal. Part of the method has been to equate the opinion of the laity and that of the bishops in decisions made democratically. It is a method that does not fully correspond to Catholic ecclesiology, but I believe in the good sense of the bishops that, in the long term, they will avoid a radicalization that would distance Germany from the universal Church.

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