Bishop identifies Pope Francis with the Holy Spirit

 National World Youth Day: Joseph Maria Bonnemain speaks plainly and defends Synodal process

This year's national World Youth Day is taking place in Olten. Bishop Joseph Maria Bonnemain was clear in his sermon: Pope Francis' decisions must be supported, otherwise "we are not in the Holy Spirit". Those who only love like-minded people do not love like Christ.

Not far from St. Martin's Church in Olten, people are milling around the many food stalls at the food festival. People drink and eat. Music resounds from all corners of the city centre.

Music also resounds from St. Martin's Church - unusually loud. But you don't hear organ music on this Friday evening. A band is playing modern pieces. The interior of the church is illuminated in violet. In between, the colour changes. Countless young people sit in the pews and pray devoutly.

Bishop Joseph Maria Bonnemain is also present. He is celebrating the opening service of the World Youth Day in Olten. It is the "weekend of preparation" for the international World Youth Day in Lisbon.

A yes for God's plan

Before the Eucharist begins, the Bishop of Chur will say a short prayer. We need "our yes for all that God has planned for us. Otherwise everything is a bit superficial." It degenerates into a "flash in the pan". If we say yes to what God has planned for us, then "we will be able to communicate God's presence to people everywhere we go".

After a brief change of clothes, Bishop Joseph Maria Bonnemain enters the church with several mainly young priests and altar boys. The chancel is male. Apart from the statue of the Mother of God, there is only one woman in the chancel - Antonia Hasler, the parish leader in Olten.

Clerical showrun

The reading, psalm and intercessions are performed by women. Nevertheless, the opening of the World Youth Day is a clerical showrun

The World Youth Day is known for its conservative current. Bishop Joseph Maria Bonnemain belongs to Opus Dei - an organisation that is also considered rather conservative. Nevertheless, the Bishop of Chur finds clear words.

Jesus and his twelve apostles

He preaches about the Synodal process, in which there are different views. Some wanted to change everything on their own. According to Bonnemain, the apostles wrestled with the congregation to find solutions. "Some from the congregation were chosen to deliver the decision," says the Bishop of Chur. "But above all, all were open to the work of the Holy Spirit."

"Thinking and acting genuinely connected with the respective Pope"

Synodality means first of all listening to what God has in mind. The openness of all leads to understanding for all and to integrating all currents of thought in the Church. "Only when we think and act effectively whole and genuinely connected to the respective Pope will we experience where God wants to lead the Church," he says emphatically.

Bishop Joseph Maria Bonnemain calls for following Popes

The decisions that Pope Francis will announce for the Church after the Synodal process "are the right ones". If these decisions are not supported "consciously and willingly", "we are not in the Holy Spirit". Having understanding for all is part of Christ's commandment, the Bishop of Chur said.

Cathcon:  It is simply not possible to follow the teaching of Pope Benedict and Pope John-Paul II on the one hand and Francis on the other.

"Catholic love embraces all"

And then Joseph Maria Bonnemain's voice rises and his gaze turns serious. "If we value others who have the same opinion, if we love them only when they represent what we represent, then we do not love them as Christ loves us. Is that clear?" Quiet yeses and giggles can be heard from the pews. "I hope so," Bishop Joseph Maria Bonnemain adds authoritatively.

"Only with a Catholic love, that is, with a love that embraces all, will the conflicts of the Church be resolved."

Source

Cathcon:  Such extreme commitment to the Pope would make even the most extreme supporter of Papal infallibility blush.   It has the making of a cult.   The liturgy they used was almost cultic rather than Catholic, no surprise.