Rumour most gorgeous: Gänswein to become bishop

Kirche: Schönstes Gerücht: Gänswein wird Bischof :: Homepage - Nachrichten - Oberpfalz & Bayern :: Mittelbayerische Zeitung :: www.mittelbayerische.de

Benedict XVI has the final word on the important personnel decision in Regensburg. Nevertheless, there is intense speculation not only in church circles. Papal secretary "Don Giorgio" is not the only favorite.

Archbishop Müller has the succession question in mind

REGENSBURG. Who will be the new Bishop of Regensburg? Who takes up the space deserted following Gerhard Ludwig Müller's appointment as prefect of the Roman Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith? The guessing game is in progress. "I would also like to know," confessed merrily recently the chairman of the Bavarian bishops' conference in Munich, Cardinal Reinhard Marx, on the sidelines of a reception in Schleissheim Castle .

He would not be a tame bishop

Only the Pope knows what will happen next. Nevertheless, there is vigorous speculation.

Rumour most gorgeous: Papal Secretary George Gänswein who Benedict XVI reportedly wishes to get out of the firing line in the Vatileaks affair will move to Regensburg. It's not the first time that a church leader removes a man out from his restricted surroundings to a new position. John Paul II appointed his secretary to be the Cardinal of Krakow.

 If the worst happens: Gänswein would not be a tame bishop. Charm and good looks meet in "Don Giorgio" with a sharp intellect and eloquence.

Often discussed is also the Augsburg bishop Anton Losinger (above right) - a man who enjoys great respect among many. In 2010 he was discussed as a successor to Bishop Walter Mixa of Augsburg (On the Mixa Scandal). Losinger is considered to be gracious in his dealings. As a member of the German Ethics Council, he has become a talking point nationwide.

Also appreciated far beyond church circles,: Monsignor Lorenz Wolf (above- talking to Archbishop Müller), head of the Catholic Official Representation in Bavaria. He sits at the official interface of the church with politics, speaking to government, parliament, municipal associations, economic and trade unions. "A good man," it is said of him.

A tip is Rudolph Voderholzer (on left below talking to the Nuntius), professor of theology in Trier, which is already rooted in Regensburg as director of the Pope Benedict Institute. 

A service which he provides voluntarily by the way. In the rooms of the seminary at Bismarckplatz, he is devoted to the publication of the collected writings of the head of the Catholic Church - in close collaboration with Archbishop Müller.

Only an outside chance should be given to the director of the Maria Vesperbild shrine, William Imkamp. He has close contacts with Princess Gloria - but is thought in Rome to be a little discredited. During the Pope's visit in Germany in 2011, he stayed away from the Mass in Berlin. Instead, he presented with the aristocrat in a trendy club, the "Diary of a Princess", which was written by Gloria's daughter Elizabeth.

Diocese maintains a low profile

The diocese does not comment on the name. "It would be totally inappropriate in any way, if we would speculate," says spokesman Clemens Neck. The personnel decision is on the agenda of the Vatican after the summer break. In the Regensburg ordinariate, they have done their homework and sent a list of three names to Rome. Who is the preferred candidate remains a secret. A list of course is no guarantee of success. Nowhere is reserved, for example, Müller was never on a list before he was appointed to Regensburg.

The prefect of the CDF is the way with the decision on his successor in the game. From him the "nihil obstat" is a kind of ecclesiastical declaration of no objection to the candidate. The Bavarian State Government has a small say - they could lodge a veto on reasonable grounds.

Until the appointment often many months elapse. But there are signs that things could go fast in Regensburg. It is not only the preparations for the 2014 Catholic Congress which play a role, the interim leadership of diocesan administrator Wilhelm Gegenfurtner should not be lengthened.

Rehabilitation of Bishop Walter Mixa

kreuz.net – Bischof Walter Mixa in Päpstlichen Rat berufen:

Bishop Walter Mixa appointed to Pontifical Council

The former bishop of Augsburg can now fly around a bit by air, breathe Roman air and feel more important than before in meaningless meetings.

Today, Pope Benedict XVI nominated Bishop Walter Mixa who was expelled in July 2010 from Augsburg Diocese to be a member of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers. This was announced by the Vatican press office.

The Council was first established in 1985 by Pope John Paul II as part of the inflation of the curial apparatus. It serves as the coordinating body for pastoral care of sick people in the world's 120,000 Catholic health care institutions. Once a year, it organizes a meeting at the Vatican.

Bishop Mixa will be in the future one of forty members who advise the President of the Council, Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski and his employees. His main task is to travel for meetings of the Council in Rome. At the same time as Bishop Mixa, the Pope has nominated Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier of Durban in South Africa to the Council.

The Diocese of Eichstätt said in a press release that Mons. Mixa is still living in Kaisheim, a village of 4300 souls and works in pastoral care. In future, he will work as a companion for the sick on pilgrimages to Lourdes.

How Bishop Mixa became part of the problem rather than part of the solution.

Many more reports from his controversial ecclesiastical career.

Bishop Mixa’s successor announced

The Gorlitz Bishop Konrad Zdarsa succeeds the retired bishop of Augsburg, Walter Mixa. The Görlitz diocese has announced . Zdarsa has headed the smallest German diocese of Görlitz for three years. The Vatican decision was exceptionally fast. Source

 

The Gorlitz Bishop Konrad Zdarsa succeeds the retired bishop of Augsburg, Walter Mixa. Pope Benedict XVI has named him as bishop of the Diocese of Augsburg, said the Diocese of Görlitz on Thursday.  The 66 year old comes from the Saxon town of Hainichen.

 

Since then, he has lead Görlitz the smallest diocese with about 30,000 Catholics.

 

Quickly found a successor

Mixa had asked the Pope to resign after allegations against him had been raised that he had struck children and approached improperly seminarians. Pope Benedict accepted the resignation of the 69-year-old Bishop of Augsburg on the 8thMay.

Abuse in Regensburg Domspatzen: Priest relieved of office

Nachrichten - Oberpfalz & Bayern - Bayern/Oberpfalz aus der MZ :: Mittelbayerische Zeitung :: www.mittelbayerische.de

The Bishop of Eichstätt Gregor Maria Hanke has suspended Father Sturmius Wagner, Dietenhofen-Großhabersdorf (Ansbach) with immediate effect from his pastoral duties. The priest is said to have sexually abused a minor during his time as a student assistant in the Regensburg Cathedral choir boarding school in the school year 1971/72, as the Roman Catholic Diocese of Regensburg announced on Wednesday.

Father Wagner. conceded on Tuesday in the press release wrong doing during his work in Regensburg, and asked the Diocese of Eichstätt to accept his resignation from the parish of Dietenhofen-Großhabersdorf and release him from the exercise of priestly services.

Sturmius Wagner worked from April 1970 to February 1972 in the boarding of the Regensburg Cathedral Choir as a student assistant. The mother of a student at that time reported that Wagner did not keep the necessary distance from her son. As a consequence, his task was ended at the cathedral choir, even if the allegation of sexual assault was not public. The Diocese of Regensburg in recent days has received concrete information about sexual abuse of a student in 1971. The Diocese of Regensburg is currently reviewing this information and now the prosecutor has been informed about the process.

The case came to light as a result of investigative journalism by Stern.  Wagner had shown films and magazines of a dubious nature to an 11 year old chorister studying at the school.

The Bishop preaches at Mass for dedication of the new church with Sturmius Wagner


Sturmius Wagner

Born in Amberg and since the end of April 2004 Parish Priest of the Parish of St. Walburga Dietenhofen-Großhabersdorf. Born in 1948, ordained in 1978 in Eichstätt, a member of the Ecumenical Commission of the Diocese, a founding member of the Association of Christian Churches in Bavaria. Wagner worked as a chaplain in Nuremberg-Reichelsdorf and in the pilgrimage church of Maria Bruennlein in Wemding
before he took over the Parish of Pfraunfeld and the office of the Deanery Youth Chaplain in the deanery of Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen.
The next place he worked was Wassertrüdingen. In the mountain town of Hessel Wagner was for almost fourteen years parish priest before he - at the request of Eichstätt Bishop Walter Mixa – took over as successor to Father Bernhard Kroll in Großhabersdorf.

Cathcon- Bernhard Kroll was himself suspended after he took part in a Protestant communion service at the Ecumenical Church Day in 2003.

Bavarian Bishops meet

Bayerns katholische Bischöfe stehen vor einer Richtungsentscheidung - Kursbestimmung in Altötting - Nachrichten - sueddeutsche.de

Today Bishop Reinhard Marx drove through Munich, and he thought as he relates: "Oh, it could be worse for me." He has arrived in a beautiful city where he has been received in a friendly manner. Marx– also because of his opinions on the financial crisis – has become the most important representative of Catholicism in Bavaria and officially became chairman of the Bishops' Conference in Freisingerstrasse a year ago. And many committed Catholics think like Marx that it could have been worse.

The Catholic Bishops of Bavaria begin their spring meeting this Wednesday- they are preparing the Ecumenical Church Meeting in Munich in 2010 and will discuss how the Catholic University of Eichstätt will continue to operate, where a new direction and a new approach must be found. They have an important personal decision : looking for a new head office director for the Catholic Office which represents the seven bishops in the regional government. The previous head, Peter Beer has become the Vicar General in Munich - a good as personal of theArchbishop of Munich. And something else is new: The bishops will meet this time in the Diocese of Passau Altötting; so far has been the venue has been Freising. Now, you are always in the spring in the dioceses drive, officially to bring the church closer to believers. "Interpret it as meaning nothing," said Marx, when he refers to the new rotation of location.

That means that interpretations exist. For example, that this is a signal in the direction of the brothers is official: I am against you, so also are loyal to me. Bayerns Bishops' Conference is a difficult Assembly - nearly all the members would have liked to become archbishop in Munich, and then came along the self-confident Westfalian.

In recent years, during the tenure of Cardinal Friedrich Wetter especially the bishops Gerhard Ludwig Müller of Regensburg, and his brother office holder Walter Mixa Weather from time to time came out publicly against the Cardinal - the hardliners felt the 80-year-old Cardinal to be too little combative. Since Marx, up to know there have been no rifts.

He has often referred to as a nationally recognized social expert - and he is within the Church accommodating towards Mixa and Müller. This was demonstrated especially in the dispute over the SSPX and their anti-Semitic tendencies (Cathcon-tarring the SSPX with one brush). Many German bishops north of the Main were appalled by the appreciation of the traditionalists by Pope Benedict XVI. - The Bavarians, mainly at the instigation of Bishop Mueller alleged a media campaign against the Pope.

When in Hamburg, the German bishops consulted on how to react to the breakdown of the Vatican , Bavaria prevented a clearer explanation. In Regensburg Bishop Mueller threatened three professors with sanctions because they had signed a Pope-critical statement, and Bishop Mixa made headlines nationwide with an unfortunate speech on Ash Wednesday, both of which exacerbated the tensions between Christians and Jews. "The Bishops' Conference on Freisingerstrasse plays well off to the right," the liberal Rabbi Walter Homolka stated angrily in the specialist periodical Herder Correspondenz.

Altötting The meeting will provide important clues as to the direction of the Bavarian episcopacy. Who will be the head of the Catholic Office- a person who is deeply involved in political disputes? How will the future profile be of the Catholic University of Eichstätt? How much ecumenism will the Ecumenical Church Meeting dare to undertake? On Friday Marx will present the results of the consultations.

Debate over SSPX could last for years

Mixa: Debatte über Pius-Brüdern kann Jahre dauern - Nachrichten - domradio.de

The Augsburg Bishop Walter Mixa expects that the dialogue between the Vatican and the SSPX still could still take years. Without honest engagement, increasing closeness is not possible, said Mixa on the edge of the spring session of the Bishops’ Conference in Hamburg. Previously, several bishops had insisted that the conflict should be ended quickly, because many Catholics are confused. Mixa accused the SSPX of immobility, rigidity and outdated thinking. They believed a specific, historically evolved form of worship to be alone valid. In contrast, the Second Vatican Council does not break with the Church's history, but is a logical development (Cathcon - rather illogical and not a development in any sense Cardinal Newman would have recognised).

Bishop Mixa responds to Central Council of Jews in Germany

in official statement

Diocese of Augsburg: Bishop Mixa completely rejects criticism
Fraternal relationship between Jews and Catholics is close to his heart.

The Diocese of Augsburg has rejected the criticism of Bishop Walter Mixa by the Stephan J. Kramer, Secretary of the Central Council of Jews in Germany as "completely absurd and exaggerated". The misunderstanding of an alleged comparison of abortion practice in Germany with the Holocaust by Bishop Walter Mixa had ever arisen only because the bishop at the beginning of a lecture on "Ethics and morality in politics" in the context of current events had sharply rejected any form of Holocaust denial and expressed solidarity with the Jewish community said the spokesman for the diocese, Dr. Christoph Goldt on Monday. Mixa had said that the murder of over 6 million Jews was an "appalling and utterly unique crime" and stressed that the Holocaust was for all times, a reminder that life and human dignity of every individual should be respected.

In another context, then the bishop pointed out that even in the present there were crimes against life of an inconceivable magnitude and gave the number of abortions as 9 million in the last thirty years. Those who try to construct out of this an anti-Jewish attitude or to insult the Church as medieval, do not serve the rich and fraternal dialogue between Jews and Christians. At the same time a Catholic bishop should be allowed to give the clearest response to the wrong of abortion. Goldt recalled that Bishop Mixa as one of his first acts in Augsburg paid the the Jewish community a visit of friendship. The good and brotherly relations between Jews and Catholics were close to the heart of the bishop, stressed Goldt. All else is a defamatory libel.

Previous posts on the issue

Bishop Mixa attacked by leader of Bavarian Jewish Community

Empörung über Mixa - ''Jetzt ist ein klärendes Wort der Kirche nötig'' - Bayern - sueddeutsche.de

"Now is a word of explanation is needed from the Church "

Josef Schuster, the President of the Jewish communities in Bavaria says that Mixa’s speech is ignoble.
The recent statements of the Augsburg Bishop Walter Mixa produce on the Jewish side incomprehension and anger. Josef Schuster, the President of the Jewish religious community in Bavaria, sees in Mixa’s words a deliberate provocation.

SZ: What do you say when Walter Mixa compares the abortion with the Holocaust?
Josef Schuster: I is not stop the language. Mixa is not the first Catholic priests, such a comparison draws. Obviously, some in the Catholic Church are not in a position to learn from the mistakes of other dignitaries. Joachim Meisner at least apologized afterwards.

SZ: Bishop Walter Mixa, in Dinkelsbühl distanced himself from Holocaust denier Richard Williamson.
Schuster: But as Mixa formulated this, it is simply ignoble: first to say SSPX member Richard Williamson was the evil, and then in an even supposedly more elegant way to relativise the Holocaust.

SZ: Was that a gaffe?
Schuster: No, that was no coincidence. A bishop is a man who has a proven intellect. Such things are not said without consideration, but very deliberately.

SZ: Should there be consequences from the Jewish standpoint?
Schuster: Now a word of explanation is really needed from the leaders of the Catholic Church in Germany - and soon.

SZ: Maybe the Catholic Church in Germany thinks like Walter Mixa - or is Mixa a specifically Bavarian phenomenon?
Schuster: There are indeed differences between the German and Bavarian level. Unlike the rest of Germany,the reaction of the Bavarian bishops in the Williamson case was not quite so obvious and clear.

SZ: So from your perspective at the time Archbishop Marx should find clear words?
Schuster: I'm very excited. On Sunday in Munich, the “Week of Brotherhood” opened of the Society for Christian-Jewish Cooperation . The keynote speaker is Archbishop Marx. I'm really excited!

SZ: On the Jewish side, there are some who would prefer to stay away from “The Week of Brotherhood” - because of the mild reaction in the case of Williamson.
Schuster: Parties participate in the “Week of Brotherhood” who have an interest in the coexistence of religions. It would be my opinion, not right to boycott them. But we hope from the chairman of the Bavarian Bishops' Conference, clear words - especially in the Mixa case.

Bishop Mixa's statements on this and other matters.

Storm over Bishop Mixa for connecting holocaust and abortion

Holocaust und Abtreibung: Mixa wehrt sich gegen "bösartige" Vorwürfe Aktuelles aus Franken Studio Franken BR

Holocaust and abortion
Mixa fighting against "malicious" allegations

A speech by the Bishop Walter Mixa of Augsburg at an event to CSU in Frankish Dinkelsbühl faces criticism: The Bishop made a connection between the number of Holocaust victims and the abortions carried out in Germany in recent years. Allegations that Mixa relativised the Holocaust have been rejected by the diocese "with indignation".

Mixa was a guest speaker on the theme "Values and Ethics in Politics" at an event organized by the Dinkelsbühl CSU, when he brought the two issues together. In an allusion to the debate about the SSPX Mixa stressed that the Holocaust on the scale of six million deaths had certainly taken place. The Bishop of Augsburg, adding that this figure had already been exceeded by the number of abortions.
"Holocaust must never be compared"

For some listeners the comparison caused resentment. Even the Mayor of Dinkelsbühl, Christoph Hammer, who was the host believes the connection of the two themes to be infelicitous. "The Holocaust is such a horrible, brutal crime that it can never be compared to another injustice," said Mayor Buehler to the Bayerischer Rundfunk. With all due respect for the bishop, these should not be compared, says the Lord Mayor continuing: "The Incomparable and unimaginable cannot be relativised."

Diocese rejects sharply allegations
Meanwhile, the Augsburg Diocese defends itself against allegations There could be no question of a relativisation of the "ghastly injustice against the Jewish people", said diocese spokesman Christoph Goldt. The spokesman said, Mixa on contrary had sharply distanced himself in the CSU Ash Wednesday meeting in Dinkelsbühl from the Holocaust denier and bishop of the SSPX Richard Williamson and denoted the murder of six million Jews as an appalling and unique crime.

Accusation "absurd and evil"

Bishop Mixa then "in a broader context" of the theme "ethics and morality in politics," pointed out that even at the present time crimes are being committed against life. The bishop referred to, among other things, the number of abortions in the past decades, which according to expert estimates, has now exceeded nine million. To contruct a relativization of the Holocaust by the bishop out of this was "absurd and malicious." Also, by specifying the different figures in different issue areas no relativization of the Holocaust was made, said diocese spokesman Goldt.

Bishop Mixa has a record of being provocative, not least in Israel.

The Pope is untrustworthy, a liar and a hypocrite says former Vice-President of the Central Council of German Jews

Papst-Kritik: Merkel im Kreuzfeuer - Criticism of Pope- Merkel in crossfire.

In the dispute over the readmission of the Holocaust denier Williamson into the church, Chancellor Merkel gets the support of her deputy, Steinmeier. Bishop Mixa of Augsburg sees in her words on the other hand, a "diplomatic and political mistake."

"The attitude of the Pope on the Holocaust and his inalienable sympathy for the Jews as the older brothers of Christians has been very clearly expressed," said Walter Mixa said loudly and clearly on Wednesday. "The Holy Father does not require coaching from the head of the German government." In matters of the Catholic Church and the Pope, the German head of state should show sensitivity. Also, the CSU politician Bernd Posselt warned the Chancellor about wishing to become the senior teacher of the Pope.

Supportive help from her deputy

Vice-Chancellor Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD) on the other hand, strongly supports the position of Angela Merkel (CDU), according tp the spokesman for Steinmeier, Jens Plötner. The Chancellor also phoned on Wednesday the chairman of the German Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Robert Zollitsch. Merkel had extensive discussions with Zollitsch said the spokesman for the Chancellor, Ulrich Wilhelm. The conversation held was initiated by the Chancellor.

At the same time Wilhelm reiterated the statement of Merkel on Tuesday that she would not concern herself in internal church affairs. In the case of Holocaust denial, however, there was a political dimension, in particular against the background of German history. The chancellor had always kept out of church affairs, and wished to do so in the future. From a crisis in relations with the Vatican Wilhelm did not want to say anything: "I have no knowledge about that." The chancellor was "moved by the theme."

Wilhelm also pointed out that the Chancellor does not doubt the attitude of Pope Benedict XVI to the Holocaust. This was made clear by the Pope, among other occasions, during his visit to the Nazi extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Central Council of Jews outraged

Even after the call by the Vatican to Williamson, " to withdraw clearly and publicly” his denial of the Holocaust, the Central Council of Jews is outraged over the issue. Secretary Stephan Kramer believes the reaction from the Vatican to the criticism of the approach of the Pope not to have been consistent enough. Kramer said that although it is a "right step". But not enough. It was not only about Williamson, but about the fundamental question of how to deal with the SSPX.

It is unacceptable that the Pope did not know Williamson’s opinion, at the time of lifting the excommunication. The Pope opposed this stance, as he himself had emphasized a week previously.

Friedman insults Pope calling him a liar

Also, the TV presenter and former Vice-President of the Central Council of German Jews, Michel Friedman, sharply attacked Pope Benedict XVI. "The Pope is untrustworthy, a liar and a hypocrite, if he wishes to sell himself on the one hand someone who stands on the basis of cooperation and coexistence between Jews and Christians, who struggles against all anti-Semites in the world and who fights against any Holocaust deniers, yet those same people he absorbs intp the Vatican with open arms, "Friedman said according to the report of the Hessischer Rundfunk magazine "Main Tower".

Perhaps Mr Friedman would like to take some time off from his Pope hatred to apologise to the women he forced into prostitution. The man that had to apologise to the German nation, but could not bring himself to apologise to his victims, has no right in the slightest to attack the Pope in this manner.

See also Rabbi says reaction to the Bishop is over the top and to judge by some of the reactions that Cathcon is getting to the above- utterly counter- productive.

Anti-clericism in Germany of which Hitler would have approved

Cathcon translation of
Darf ich Ihnen meinen kleinen Heiland vorstellen? Der kann auferstehen!
Can I give you my small saviour? He can rise!

Link to the pictures here- deeply offensive

'Spiegel Online' has recently tried to make a joke of celibacy. The usual dirty jokes which priestly celibacy and chastity provoke.were the order of the day, of which everyone has had enough,

"Priests and women – do they go together?" asked the German tabloid magazine 'Spiegel' on 22 February in a supposedly satirical contribution about the celibacy of Catholic clerics.

When the chairman of the German Bishops' Conference - Archbishop Robert Zollitsch of Freiburg, raised the celibacy question - 'Spiegel' said: "Celibacy must go!" – a "heated debate" raged in Church circles. (Cathcon- thank you Archbishop- wonderful move to promote the Catholic Faith)

The abolition of celibacy would stimulate the diminishing number of priestly vocations and open new contemporary questions to the priest.

'Spiegel' Online cites three: "How do you learn and where to get to know women? What do talk about with them? Blond or brunette? "

The contribution consists of 13 photographs of priests and bishops, in which the 'Spiegel Online has added balloons with mostly raunchy statements, commenting on the situation as if celibacy had been recently abolished.

The first photo shows priest in a Roman collar, after the end of celibacy in a group session practicising getting to know women:

"Can I give you my small saviour? He can rise! "

or: "Come up with a host?"

The second photo shows Cardinal Joachim Meisner concelebrating with Cardinal Karl Lehmann and he raises the consecrated host at the "Behold the Lamb of God".

The balloon is inserted over the Cologne Cardinal who holds the Host in the hand and he is thinking, "I think Julia Roberts is the very cute! or will I marry Anne Will…(well-known German newscaster) "

Cardinal Lehmann replies: "Please concentrate on the job!" - And thinks: "But he must offer more than this dry bread…"

Another concelebrant, whose face is not visible on the photograph says: "Why marry immediately? First rehearse."

The fourth picture shows Pope Benedict XVI in a Baroque church, surrounded by priests. One of the priests kisses his ring. The Pope commented: "You kiss somehow softer, guys. Have you practiced secretly?"

From the back of the priest, a reply: "Yes, with me".

Figure 6 shows a Vatican auditorium with bishops who are gathered to visit the Pope on an ad Limina visit. A Bishop speaks into the microphone and just says to the Pope: "… we would like to have a intimate dancing evening held in the cellar, also with errr… women."

In Figure 9, a young Dominican reads an ad in the Vatican daily newspaper, Osservatore Romano: "Sweet mouse (TV) seeks the solvent Lord, GV, AV, SM, röm-cath, NS…"

The Dominican is thinking: "SM is Sanctissimum but TV? Tabernacle worship (Cathcon- verehrung in German)? "

Figure 11 shows a close-up of the Chairmen of the Italian Bishops' Conference, Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco of Genoa, at the Holy Thursday liturgy, kissing a foot that he has just washed thinking: "Well, this sexuality is overrated!"

In Figure 12 finally speaks Bishop Walter Mixa of Augsburg to the Archbishop of Munich Reinhard Marx: "If the celibacy been repealed, then have we to marry within our own circles!"

"Are you thinking of gay marriage?" - Answered him archbishop of Munich.

Archbishop Robert Zollitsch continues to divide Catholic parishes.

Bishop Mixa joins battle. Archbishop Zollitsch while still clearly not labouring under any prohibition against thinking about the abolition to celibacy cannot bring himself to speak about it anymore.


Cathcon translation of
Erzbischof Robert Zollitsch spaltet weiterhin die katholische Kirchengemeinde.

Shortly after his election as chairman of the German Bishops' Conference Zollitsch, in an interview, spoke out against "prohibitions against thinking" about celibacy . The theologian Hans Küng goes a step further and calls for the German bishops to promote the abolition of celibacy to the Vatican. The Bishop of Augsburg, Walter Mixa, however, called Zollitsch's statements "not helpful" for the Church. Zollitsch himself will not speak further about the debate on the abolition of celibacy.

German Catholic bishops go to war - with each other

Cathcon comments- Behind the scenes, Lehmann obtained the least bad (in his eyes) conservative for the Archdiocese of Munich and worse still fixed the election of his own successor, the conservative's worst nightmare, Robert Zollitsch, the Archbishop of Freiburg- who now is trying to open up a debate about celibacy and supports civil partnerships.

Clearly, something terrible has gone on behind the scenes to make the conservative Bishops so very, very angry.

Cathcon sadly has no photos of Cardinal Lehmann going wild, but one taken shortly afterwards, where one

Cathcon translation of
Freiburg: Krach um Zollitsch
Freiburg: Dispute about Zollitsch

No harmony in the family of God: Four of eight Bavarian bishops on Sunday did not come to Munich for the farewell service for Cardinal Wetter. An interview from Zollitsch brings agitation.
In Munich Bishops Walter Mixa (Augsburg), Wilhelm Schraml (Passau), Friedhelm Hoffmann (Würzburg) and Gerhard Ludwig Müller (Regensburg) were missing. The last named inaugurated instead a new kindergarten, where he preached: "From the womb to old age, we are all members of the great family of God."

Beautiful, but, as in other families, there are disputes. The Süddeutsche Zeitung writes that the outgoing Chairman of the German Bishops' Conference, Cardinal Karl Lehmann (Cathcon- seen below shortly afterwards during the service), went wild in the sacristy and said

"This is not just a kindergarten here."

The scandal of Munich is but only a part of the family dispute.

The other revolves around an interview with the Archbishop of Freiburg, Robert Zollitsch, in Der Spiegel. Zollitsch stated that homosexuality was for him a matter of social reality and the government should make rules for homosexual partnership. He distanced himself from the statements of Mixa on family policy. Words such as "child bearing machine" did not belong to his vocabulary, and broke down any discussion about the approach.

Then it came to celibacy which Zollitsch defended. But he also said: "And, of course, the connection between the priesthood and celibacy is not theologically necessary." This is anything but new, but for Bishop Mueller this went so against the grain, that he immediately he came out against the statement. Maybe he had just waiting for the occasion. Celibacy will never be repealed. The conservative "Network of Catholic Priests" leaped yesterday to Mueller’s defence. (Cathcon- more details soon)

About the motives of the four Bavarian bishops in not being seen in Munich, Hans Joachim Maier, President of the Central Committee of German Catholics, does not want to speculate. As much he said to the Badische Zeitung yesterday: "It was bad style, which is also not appropriate for a person such as Cardinal Wetter."

It was an affront not only against Wetter, but also against the non-Bavarian newcomer, Reinhard Marx, Wetter’s successor, whom the Conservatives count as one of theirs. And for Christian Weisner, spokesman for the lay movement "We Are Church", it meant a stab at Lehmann. Lehmann in the end had a considerable influence that Marx and none of the conservative Bavarians followed Wetter- and that his own successor was Zollitsch. The ranks of the hard-liners, including the Cologne, Cardinal Joachim Meisner, were empty. Lehmann’s activities sickened them.

Zollitsch, as his press spokesman Thomas Maier said yesterday, had noted the crossfire from Regensburg, but had nothing to say. Also Zollitsch was not in Munich because he, as Maier said, had an important appointment in Freiburg arranged a long time ago. He is not of Bavarian origin and on Sunday was not yet head of the German Bishops' Conference. The press office of the Archdiocese of Munich had in good religious tradition, "the directive, not to deliver a position." So, they have encouraged speculation.

The scandal of Munich and the dispute about celibacy have nothing directly to do with each other, but only indirectly: The conservatives are unhappy with the whole direction. Zollitsch understands church and society, and he knew what he was doing. He has given a sign. Some of his statements will not have pleased the Pope, but in any case it has displeased some of his episcopal colleagues, who for their part are forming up under Müller’s flag.

Zollitsch, at the outset of his tenure as Chairman of the Bishops' Conference made it clear that he is among the moderates. The toxic reaction from Regensburg shows that the arch-conservatives have understood this and find it hard to come to terms with. The gross discourtesy of Munich suits them. The fronts are now clear, the trenches visible.

Head of German Catholics considers celibacy "not necessary"

Council may be required to change the Church's position.

The Protestant Church can be called church

Not bad going for a man only two days in office. He is making up quickly for his reputation as the cleric who has left no traces behind.

Cathcon translation of Oberster deutscher Katholik hält Zölibat für "nicht notwendig"

For Catholics, it would be a revolution: Robert Zollitsch, the new chairman of the German Bishops' Conference, is considering an end to the celibacy. For priests to live without marrying, was "not theologically necessary," he says in SPIEGEL - and also let his understanding for the Greens and the Socialists be understood.

Hamburg – into his first few days in office - and he even dares to take on a mammoth project: the Archbishop of Freiburg and newly elected chairman of the German Bishops' Conference, Robert Zollitsch said that he was against "a prohibition on thinking" about the subject of celibacy. In an interview with Spiegel, the 69-year-old said the link between the priesthood and celibacy was "not theologically necessary."

For the Catholic Church, this statement a radical departure from past practice. Zollitsch is also aware of this: A farewell to celibacy "would be a revolution, in which a part of the church would not take part," he says. A Council that would be needed, because the interior life of the entire church would be affected.

At the same time, Zollitsch advocates an opening of "his" (Cathcon-added interverted commas!) church towards new social milieus. He went on to distance himself from statements of other bishops about kindergarten care. "Terms like 'Baby Bearing Machine' or 'stove bonus ' do not belong to my vocabulary and break down any discussion about the approach. We need nurseries because many parents simply are in need." (Cathcon- Bishop Mixa will be seething tonight, I guess.)

He spoke critically about the development of the CDU(Cathcon - the Conservative Christian Democratic Party), although that party shares "many Christian values in our sense." But, then Zollitsch added, "The CDU has become closer to more neoliberal theories - and thereby there is a danger in the social market economy that social issues are not kept firmly enough in mind." The proximity between the Catholic Church and the CDU was "so diminished". Furthermore, other parties such as the Socialists and the Greens appreciated "things that are important to us, more than ever before".

The Archbishop of Freiburg also canvassed for a better relationship with the Protestant Church. The Roman statement about what to be a church means triggered resentment among the Protestants. The Protestant Church "is church. I cannot deny it. "

Archbishop signing a Charta Ecumenica in his own dioceses, which was accompanied by 50 mini-charters at parish level.

Election of new head for German bishops

Cathcon translation of Jubel in Freiburg- EKD und ZdK gratulieren- Streit vorgrammiert" Joy in Freiburg- Protestant Church and Central Committee of German Catholics send best wishes- dispute pre-programmed.

Among the congratulations of Archbishop Zollitsch, the reactions are to a great extent positive. The Wuerzburg Bishop Friedhelm Hofmann cautions against a misinterpretation of the election of the new chairman of the Bishops' Conference. The decision for Zollitsch is not a "transitional solution," he said after the election. It also did not mean a defeat for the Archbishop of Munich, Reinhard Marx who had been considered the favorite. At the forefront of the decision probably was a good understanding of whether it was reasonable at the present time given his new offices in Munich and Bayern. This does not however set a precedent for the next scheduled election in six years. By then other bishops could have developed their profile, and so be suitable for the post.

Bishops: No transitional solution
The Augsburg Bishop Walter Mixa said that it was expected, as happened, that in the first two ballots the required two-thirds majority was not obtained. Furthermore, the outcome of the decision was "not as clear", as observers had suspected. Other bishops have confirmed that, in the first round of voting also a number of other names were on the ballot paper.

According to the Osnabrück Bishop Franz-Josef Bode, Zollitsch comes with a new style and a new face to the head of the Bishops' Conference. The Freiburg Archbishop also enjoys the confidence of many younger bishops and suffragans.

A man, "who has the tasks to negotiate, to build bridges and to bring into dialogue representatives of different positions ". This is how the Stuttgart Bishop Gebhard Fürst described the role of the new Bishop's Conference Chairman . He wished him well "for the demanding tasks, which he now also has to deal with".

Pride in Freiburg
With great joy, the Archdiocese of Freiburg heard the news of the election of Robert Zollitsch to the chair of the German Bishops' Conference. The unequivocal vote of the German Bishops was a great vote of confidence for their chief pastor, filling the faithful from Bodensee to Franken with joy and pride. The Vicar-General Fridolin Keck said this on Tuesday in Freiburg. In a congratulatory letter he promises Germany's new chief bishop assistance, "so that you can be a blessing to the Catholic Church in Germany and act as in your own diocese in the best way, leading and inspiring."

The call to high office at the head of the Catholic Church in Germany is from the Freiburg point of view an honour for Zollitsch. According to the Vicar General, the programme of Archbishop Zollitsch can be briefly and concisely summarised with the formula: "To fashion an awakening in the community of faith." He wanted the people in church and society by reliance on God to put away the fear of the future and progress everyday with unshakeable faith and admirable energy. "This encourages and spurs on, especially in a time marked by great uncertainty and disorientation," says the Vicar General.

EKD: dialogue
Also, the Protestant Church in Germany congratulated Zollitsch. EKD Council Chairman, Bishop Wolfgang Huber hopes that "we can continue and develop the good and stable ecumenical encounters between our churches which have taken place over the past decades." Zollitsch long has had "the reputation of being a farsighted bishop with great pastoral and administrative experience, who takes dialogue seriously," said Huber. He is looking forward to the first meeting with Zollitsch in his new role, and said "that while we have different beliefs, we share responsibility for the Gospel in our country ".

The Turkish-German Association DITIB hopes that under Zollitsch, the interfaith dialogue will be boldly taken further

Also congratulations came from the German Caritas Association. Peter Neher, who leads the association which is based in Freiburg called Zollitsch an "active creator of new pastoral place." "He is a man who always reconciles different interests and find solutions, which are supported by all," praises Neher. With Zollitsch, the good tradition of dialogue between the church and Caritas will be continued continued. The Archbishop has " always supported the work of Caritas. He is an open and skilful in his dealings with people, and who always maintains dialogue. "

ZdK: In cooperation
The Central Committee of German Catholics was delighted with the election of the bishop. ZdK chief Hans Joachim Meyer described Zollitsch as a "shepherd of souls", "who has the people in his sight and care about their salvation ". Zollitsch shows like his predecessor "a profound joy of the faith," and is "for serious dialogue and being contemporary but critical with the people of today." Germany's largest association of Catholic laity have always cooperated well with Zollitsch.

Laity in the Church: mixed Feelings
Mixed feelings are felt by the critical " Church initiative from below" on the new change at the head of the German Bishops' Conference. "A competent architect of the church reform - but from above", that is the headline of a press statement by the Association. Zollitsch was "one of the pioneers of structural reconstruction" in the dioceses and parishes, so quite a "competent" bishop in difficult times. " It remains to be seen, however, whether he " energetically tackles non-structural problems." The positive note is that Zollitsch can be seen "as a man for equality and integration. "With his election is associated the expectation that he will continue the moderate line of Cardinal Lehmann." According to the understanding of the initiative the choice of Zollitsch is simultaneously a rejection of the view from the "strictly conservative" Reinhard Marx archbishop of Munich. "Whether the election but not a strategically wise step, it remains to be seen", because as host of the 2nd Ecumenical Church Day 2010 in Munich, "he could easily be a difficult opponent of the new chairman," fearing the "church from below. "With the advocates of conservative Catholicism dispute is .. inevitable ".

The popular Church movement "We Are Church" speaks of a "good sign of continuity." Zollitsch is in line with his predecessor Lehmann. "Given the increasing centralization in the Roman Catholic Church, it can be expected by Catholic men and women that the new president - for all his loyalty to Rome – will repeatedly and confidently in Rome represent the concerns of the Catholic Church in Germany." It is "is also a good sign that the new chairman in his first spontaneous statement spoke for more progress in ecumenism."

"Heaven sent" – congratulations from the Federation of German Catholic Youth (BDKJ)to the new chairman of the Bishops' Conference. Zollitsch is now "faced with the challenge of theCatholic Church in Germany in the future. We wish him creativity, perseverance and God's blessing ". The association trust, "that Archbishop Zollitsch will have an open ear for the concerns of young people and thus for the future of the church." A change in direction in the church, according to the BDKJ will not come: You should not overextend expectations about the office . " And while there are now younger bishops in Germany, the so-called generational change is overestimated in its effect. "The biological age says little about the direction."

Agreement from Conservatives and Socialists
Positive reactions come from politics; German President Horst Koehler sent a congratulatory letter, Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) hopes to have an occasional exchange of views with the newly elected. CDU Secretary General Ronald Pofalla praised Zollitsch for his special ability to dialogue with different social groups, pronounced judgement and experience in large pan-diocesan tasks. For the CDU were "his indications, deliberations and judgements about the Church ... are of particular importance ". The party is looking forward to the continuation of dialogue.

The Chairman of the Cardinal Höffner Group in the CDU, Georg Brunnhuber (CDU), described the Archbishop of Freiburg as a good good pastor and said that the Catholic Church will perform well. At the same time, he is thought of as a financial expert,which is good for the security of the Church.

Even SPD leader Kurt Beck congratulated the new Chairman. He welcomed the fact that trustful dialogue with the Catholic church on all major issues of the present will continue, he says in a congratulatory letter to the chairman. The people expected from the Catholic church orientation in social and ethical questions. Bundestag Vice President Wolfgang Thierse (SPD) is pleased with Zollitsch's first words after the election. Now to maintain continuity, is the right attitude, said Thierse. Also FDP and the Greens welcomed the election results of Wuerzburg.

Bishops seek successor to Cardinal Lehmann

Cathcon translation of Bischöfe suchen Nachfolger für Kardinal Lehmann
Bonn. After the announced resignation of Karl Cardinal Lehmann as the head of the German Bishops' Conference the discussion about the succession has already begun.

The Vice-Chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Conference, the Aachen Bishop Heinrich "God is not Catholic" Mussinghoff (67), has already ruled himself out as a candidate for the post of Chairman, a Diocesan spokesman said on Tuesday (Cathcon- that's a relief then!). The Bishops' Conference had earlier on Tuesday announced the premature resignation of Lehmann after some 20 years of office. The 71-year-old declared that he would retire on 18 February, for health reasons, and but also for a necessary generational change to take place. The successor will be elected in February.

Lehmann's longstanding efforts and, in particular, his commitment to social dialogue and the coexistence of religions have been appreciated positively by all sides. Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) regretted the resignation. "Cardinal Lehmann enjoys a high reputation far beyond the borders of the Catholic Church," Merkel said after a telephone conversation with Lehmann. Federal Interior Minister, Wolfgang Schäuble (CDU) said with his going an era is coming to an end. The Rhineland-Palatinate Prime Minister and SPD chairman, Kurt Beck said Lehmann represented the Catholic Church nationally and internationally in an outstanding manner.

The fourth six-year term of office of Lehmann would have expired in 2011. He will still lead the Spring Plenary Assembly of the Bishops' Conference from 11 To 14 February in Wuerzburg. They will also choose the new Chairman. Lehmann will continue to exercise his office as Bishop of Mainz, wanting in the future to devote himself more strongly to basic issues such as ecumenism.

He had at the end of last year, a "life-threatening disease", Lehmann wrote in a letter to the bishops. With the heart-rhythm disturbance, he had reached "a clear break" where "in the future his strength no longer allows him this often absolute exhaustion". Lehmann also pointed to increasing time pressure: "The demands of the public or the media, personal interviews and written correspondence always become bigger." That's why he is now doing as already he had indicated as an option in September 2005 during his re-election, not to fully serve the term as chief representative of 26 million German Catholics.

On behalf of the German Bishops, Mussinghoff thanked Lehmann for his "tireless efforts". The Archbishop of Cologne, Cardinal Joachim Meisner, who is a conservative counterpoint in the bishops' conference to Lehmann said that he had succeeded in the midst of great upheaval, to remain in discussion with the social partners (Cathcon comment- a German idea of the corporate state!) . The President of the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK), Prof. Hans Joachim Meyer, praised Lehmann "principled strength, his sense of reality and his willingness to listen."

The Chairman of the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD), Bishop Wolfgang Huber, pointed to Lehmann’s advocacy of ecumenism. The President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Charlotte Knobloch, said that over the years of trusting cooperation deep human bonds were created, "which also in politically difficult times have proved viable and resilient."

Lehmann was elected in September 1987 in Fulda as successor to Cardinal Joseph Höffner (Cologne), Chairman of the Bishops' Conference. The qualified theologian was reelected in 1993, 1999 and 2005. Lehmann, became Bishop of Mainz in 1983 and January 2001 appointed Cardinal by Pope John Paul II.

As a possible successor, the newly appointed Archbishop of Munich Reinhard Marx (54) is under discussion.. His election would be a generational change. But church experts hold a transitional solution with an even older Bishop with only one term of six years as conceivable. From the perspective of the reform movement, 'We Are Church " a chairman of the Bishops' Conference should not polarise opinion as Cologne's Cardinal Joachim Meisner (74), or the Augsburg Bishop Walter Mixa (66) would. In the discussion in religious circles about the succession debate the names of the Freiburg archbishop, Robert Zollitsch (69), and the Archbishop of Hamburg, Werner Thissen (69), are heard.

Mussinghoff assumes that the entire team will be newly elected in Wuerzburg, said the diocese spokesman. These included: the Chairman and his deputies as well as the secretary of the Bishops' Conference.

Living with Archbishop Wolfgang Haas

Cathcon translation of an article
Leben mit Wolfgang in the NZZ Zeitung. Thank you as ever to kreuz.net

Hereditary Prince Alois von und zu Liechtenstein receives Holy Communion from Archbishop Haas.

Ten years ago, Pope John Paul II, elevated the conservative cleric, Wolfgang Haas to the Archbishopric of Vaduz. Since then he has thoroughly rebuilt the Church of Liechtenstein He has ousted laymen from church services, preached about purgatory, and in religious education, lipstick is a sin. Many believers still shun the shepherds when they can.

From Pascal Hollenstein

"Nil amatum nisi praecognitum», the Archbishop of Vaduz, Wolfgang Haas, has written on the home page of his website: "Only he who knows himself, can give love." The beautiful phrase comes from the Church Father, St Augustine. One mouse click and you can see an open church door, and read: "The door is open, much more the heart." Truly, beautiful and poetic verse.

The reality is more prosaic in Liechtenstein. The gate to the episcopal palace remains hermetically sealed. No, the Archbishop won’t give the foreign press an interview, advises his Vicar General Mark Walser without discussion. Even Walser himself has no desire for a conversation.

There would be too much to discuss. Exactly ten years ago, Pope John Paul II separated the Principality of Liechtenstein from the Diocese of Chur, elevated it to an Archdiocese and installed Archbishop Wolfgang Haas. The Papal decision was a reason to rejoice for many in Switzerland. In the Diocese of Chur, where Haas had served previously as Bishop, the church bells even rang in places. The arch-conservative cleric had made himself thoroughly unpopular for his reactionary views and ruthless personnel decisions. The cantons and the Cantonal Churches as well as parish priests protested, the Swiss Bishops' Conference appealed to colleagues for his resignation and even Foreign Minister, Flavio Cotti made inquiries in the Vatican. They all were relieved when the Pontiff promoted away the hated Haas.

Laity taking a back pew.
In Liechtenstein, all hell broke loose. The Prince went wild when the Papal Nuncio had to convey to him the news of the founding of the archdiocese, remembers someone who was present at the hour in question in the castle. His Highness did not receive the messenger, and the Nuncio therefore had to deliver the letter to the government buildings. Mario Frick was head of government. He remembers the moment as "extremely unpleasant", when the decision arrived from Rome: "I was immediately clear that there was the unluckiest mix, which you could think of: religion and politics - that can only go wrong."

Liechtenstein stood on its head in those days. The Prince compared the establishment of the Archbishopric to the opening of a branch of McDonald's. The Vatican a global fast-fry chain? The subjects understood the message. The Government and the Parliament refused to vote on the official appointment of Bishop Wolfgang Haas. The people demonstrated in front of the church , and the Archbishop took the back entrance. 8,492 Liechtenstein residents signed a petition that the country should remain in the Diocese of Chur.

Nothing has come of it. Wolfgang Haas celebrates this Sunday in the Vaduz Cathedral with a Pontifical Mass the tenth anniversary of the Archbishopric. The Chief Shepherd has used the time. Right at the beginning, Haas abolished the unwanted Deanery (Cathcon note- a sort of Lay Council), sending the laity to the rear pews in the church (Cathcon note- surely that should be pews- where they belong- if they wish to go to the back, that’s there problem). Liberal clergy left their posts either racked with nerves, or they were replaced with Haas-loyal clerics after their retirement. About staff shortages, the archbishop did not need to worry: about 50 priests have been incardinated by him and are always ready to serve their Lord (Cathcon-bit of liberal sarcasm here!). Even conservative believers are drawn to the little country. When Bishop Wolfgang reads a Mass, coaches from Switzerland and Austria stand in rows in front of the church.

"Liechtenstein has become a conservative refuge," laments Christel Kaufmann, a catechist from Balzers, who feels there is nothing left of the former People's Church (Cathcon note- the Catholic Church is not the People’s Church, it is God’s). Death and damnation are preached, as well as sin, purgatory and hell. In religion classes, they tell children that when a woman uses lipstick, it is a sin. "There are children who are have sleepless nights as a result," says Kaufmann.

Although the Liechtenstein citizens are through and through Catholic, they are also a micro-state with 35000 inhabitants, "which has arrived in the 21st Century" says ex-Prime Minister Frick. The Liechtenstein voters have sent downriver an initiative for a comprehensive ban on abortion, which was supported materially by Haas. And Parliament has only recently voted for the introduction of a registered partnership of homosexuals, although Haas has thundered in the newspaper "Vaterland”, that homosexuality is" objectively a grave sin ".

Even in matters of faith, Haas' authority is rather low. Against him. one thousand Catholics formed themselves into a "Union for an Open Church". The association organized worship services with foreign priests with a liberal attitude, confirmations without Wolfgang Haas in the Einsiedeln monastery and, more recently, the First Communion in the convent of St. Elizabeth, in Liechtenstein, but not under the archbishop.

The Association is presided over by attorney Wolfgang Seeger, who was once to the locals even known as "Bishop Wolfgang” (Cathcon note- but he is not – the only authority he has comes from the people- or is he a self-appointed representative of the people?). Does he split the church? Seeger rejects the accusation. "We are Catholic and want it to remain so happily, even though Wolfgang Haas and the Archdiocese has led the country into pastoral isolation. The theologian, Christoph Klein, the executive director of the association, says the "Open Church” is concerned with provisions that lead to the safeguarding of religious peace: without our activities many people would have left the Church behind. (Cathcon note: this is a threat, not dissimilar to the response of Muslim communities in the West- you respect us or……)

Not in all eternity
In contrast to Switzerland, withdrawal from the church in Liechtenstein brings no tax savings. The Catholic Church is, according to the Constitution, the state church, their financial needs satisfied by the regular budgetry payments from municipalities and country. Since it is has become a Roman Catholic Archdiocese, the pressure has risen to change this situation.

Prime Minister Otmar Hasler now has a project for unbundling church and state. The Protestant-Reformed Church and the Lutheran Church are to be put on equal footing with the Catholic Church. Other religious communities could also be recognized. The taxpayers could then decide which church they could give their money to. If they choose not to decide, the money flows into the general state budget.

And why not simply reduce the tax for those who belong to any church? What he proposed was certainly "a church friendly solution," admits Hasler, but the state could "not be interested in departures from the church for financial reasons". Liechtenstein should not be a "secular state".

That the Vatican will abolish the Archdiocese, noone really believes. But also an Archbishop is not in office forever. Haas is 59 years old. During lunch at a traditional local in Vaduz one of the influential citizens of the country pushes a piece of Vaud Saucisson onto the fork. "Oh, Wolfgang, 'he says and grasps the wine glass:" Perhaps one day he will burst so easily. " (Cathcon comment- the nasty comment of a liberal - which I thought not to translate, but an excellent of example of a certain way of thinking.)

Bishop Generosity

Bishop Walter Mixa, seen here surrounded by Deacons
who caused a storm in Germany by suggesting government childcare plans threatened to turn women in birthing machines is interpreting the Motu Proprio of the Pope that there should be at least 25 people asking for a Latin Mass and that they should be from the same parish.

Each of the attendees have got to bring their identity card with them to prove that they have permanent residence in the parish and affirm their belief in the teachings of all 21 Ecumenical Councils of the Church.

Strongly support the latter idea but only if the Bishops posts guards at all the parish churches in his Diocese demanding this oath from every attendee Sunday by Sunday. Sorry being sarcastic!

Strong protest on the way to Ecclesia Dei Commission.

The Jewish Central Council of Germany accuses Catholic bishops of anti-semitism.

Translation of original article in German.


The President of the Jewish Central Council of Germany Charlotte Knobloch- "insinuations which were right at the border of anti-semitism. "




German Bishops have caused frictions on their visit to the Near East, Charlotte Knobloch says that the statements made by them were “at the border of anti-semitism”. The Bishops had compared Palestinian towns with the Warsaw Ghetto.

The Israeli Ambassador Shimon Stein spoke of a demonisation of Israel.







Fr Hans Langendoeffer SJ, the Secretary of the German Bishops’ Conference regretted the discord created. The members of the Permanent Council of the German Bishops’ Conference had visited Israel and the Palestinian Autonomous Areas for a week.


The Bishop of Eichstatt Gregor Maria Hanke who had compared the conditions in the Palestinian towns with those of the Warsaw Ghetto was criticized by Knobloch and Vice-President Dieter Graumann. The Bishop of Augsburg, Walter Mixa has in addition talked about Israeli racism in dealing with the Palestinians. These statements are according to Knobloch’s judgements, “moved close to the borders of anti-semitism”.



The President of the German Israeli Parliamentary Group in the Bundestag (German Parliament) Jerzy Montag asked the Bishops for an apology.



Knobloch said that it was especially disappointing that the visit had ended in upset.

No equivalence

“We also understand that the situation of the Palestinians is not easy”, says Graumann in a Cologne newspaper “but those who say the condition is equal to the suffering of the Jews in the ghettos of the Nazis, they truly have not learned anything from history. Such a statement has an anti-semitic core”. To relativise the deeds of the Nazis with the actions of the successors of the victims of the Nazis is evidence of a hostile attitude to Jews. The Central Committee expects Lehmann who is the President of the Bishops’ Conference to issue a clarification. Stein accused the Bishops of demagogy and demonising Israel.

Those who use terms like, “Warsaw Ghetto” in connection with Israeli or Palestinian politics have either forgotten everything or have not learnt anything or have morally failed. Langendoeffer explained that very personal remarks had been made by some when visiting Bethlehem under the influence of an “oppressive situation” and an emotional dismay of individuals, which however had since been corrected. This refers especially to an off the cuff remark referred to the Warsaw Ghetto.

Cardinal sticks knife into the back of Bishop Mixa

Translated from the super-excellent Kreuz.net.

The Bishop of Augsburg is being knifed in “a brotherly fashion” at the German Bishops’ Conference but he remains steadfast. What he said, he has said and he would say it again.

The Chairman of the Bishops’ Conference, Karl, Cardinal Lehmann admonished the Augsburg Bishop Dr Walter Mixa on his statements on German family policy. The public admonishment was published in the regional newspaper, Augsburger Allgemeine Zeitung.

The Cardinal stated his criticism after the meeting of the Permanent Council of the German Bishops’ Conference which had been held in the Holy Land last Thursday.

Cardinal Lehmann considers the drastic choice of words by the Bishop of Augsburg to be wrong.

“Bishop Mixa should have considered more deeply that many parents have no relatives living near them and have to rely on children’s nursery facilities”, criticised Cardinal Lehmann.

He adds, trying to be as wise as Solomon, he added that the Bishop of Augsburg’s criticism uncovered and sharpened the inadequate family policy of the Christian Democrats.

The expression “child bearing machines” will be used again.

Bishop Mixa defends his statements. He spoke to the Augsburger Allgemeine Zeitung on Wednesday. He would re-use the term “child bearing machines” again.

He was worried that his concerns would not be taken seriously if they were formulated differently. He sees this term as “a provocative challenge”. Bishop Mixa had warned on the 22nd February that mothers who are encouraged to hand over their child directly after birth would be degraded into “child bearing machines”.

In his latest interview he emphasised that he is solely concerned for the “choice in child nursery care”.

“In order to draw attention to something it is often necessary to use provocative words.” Monsignor Mixa has received an 80 percent approval in his post for his outspoken words on this matter.


Cathcon comments:
Correction to my earlier comment, Bishop Mixa is determined to stand-by his first comments, not least now because of the unhelpful posture of Cardinal Lehmann.

The Cardinal and the Bishop

The Cardinal preaches ecumenism but is incapable of practicising it with his fellow Bishops.