One of the anti-Wagner ringleaders is standing for election.as Regional Governor

Dr Josef Pühringer, who has just published a book claiming that a new round of reform is needed in the Catholic Church. You can guess how popular that makes him with Cathcon.

If you have a vote in Upper Austria, use it!

Someone in the Vatican has a sense of hunour

Almost Bishop Wagner of Linz was given the titular see of Archbishop Jadot, who famously felt no guilt for the damage that he inflicted on the American Church even in extreme old age.

Telephone interview with future Auxilliary Bishop of Linz

Dr Felix Fromm (which means Dr Happily Pious)
Will celibacy now be finally abandoned in the Diocese of Linz?
Will women be ordained?
Should the laity preach at Mass?
Will there be a Corpus Christi procession with pitta bread ever again in Linz?
Will you conform to the Linz Way?

Which part of the word NO do the liberals of the Diocese of Linz not understand.

More than Ten Commandments in everyday life in Linz

Cover of the Cathedral Parish Newsletter, indicative that the Diocese of Linz does not know where it is going if it is going at all. Stop- Diocese under Construction- One way street to the left- No right turn. Diocese divided on path to follow. Beware of laity without driving licenses. Caution Bishop driving in the middle of the road. Unsure of direction to take. No Faith at any time.

They could do with thinking about the original Ten Commandments before anything.  How about for instance, "Thou shalt not bear false witness", specifically in the case of Bishop Wagner.

Bishop of Linz "In the interests and for the benefit of the Diocese"

Bischof Schwarz: „Zum Wohle der Diözese Linz“ Nachrichten.at

The withdrawal of Gerhard Maria Wagner from his nomination to the Bishop of Linz has had positive reactions.

"I'm glad, because I believe that the best gift is that Mr. Wagner can give to the diocese." Peter Hurka reacted from the platform "We Are Church" immediately after the surprising withdrawal of his nomination by Wagner. This is "in the interests and for the benefit of the diocese," the Linz Diocesan Bishop Ludwig Schwarz noted.

The Catholic journalist and native of Upper Austria Hubert Feichtlbauer doubts that Wagner made the move voluntarily. "Wagner is not the guy who gives up," believes Feichtlbauer to an instruction from Rome. "But it should probably look formalistic. The pressure on Wagner was too immense, so I believe that the Pope asked him to withdraw. "

For Hurka Wagner's resignation, "is but only half the battle, since Mr. Wagner is not an accidental case as the Church has systemic failure ."

Even today, at the crisis meeting convened by Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn of all nine diocesan bishops and the Military Bishop, one could get a "person of the same profile as the new candidate ," says Hurka.

Instead, in parishes men and women should be elected to work on a three-name proposal for the future Bishop of Linz and these eventually forwarded to the Vatican f. "The Pope can then choose a binding candidate from this proposal," Hurka suggests

Joy about Wagner's resignation

Kritiker froh über Wagners Aufgeben - Kirche & Politik - derStandard.at/Inland

Critics happy about Wagner’s resignation

Khol "the happiest man"

Zulehner praises Schönborn as the "troubleshooter" (who surely now can be ruled out as the next Pope)

For Hurka problems not yet solved –

The Linz Episcopal Vicar thinks matters are now more relaxed

Vienna - Church critics have shown themselves relieved by Gerhard Maria Wagner’s withdrawal from the office of the auxiliary Bishop of Linz. "I am the happiest man," said the Christian Democrat politician and founder of the Catholic Laity Initiative, Andreas Khol on Sunday evening in the ORF-discussion program "In the Centre". The pastoral theologian Paul Zulehner, however, said Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn should be respected for his role as a "troubleshooter". Hans Peter Hurka from the platform "We Are Church" said the problems in the local church in spite of this step has not yet been resolved.

"Still a lot to do"
Even the Episcopal Vicar of the Diocese of Linz, William Viehböck, now finds “a certain relaxation of the current situation". He pays tribute to Wagner "I have respect for such a decision" - "but there remains much to be done."

Cathcon- this will be one of the big lies- it was his own personal decision. He was clearly placed under inhuman pressure- pressure which the whole Church in Austria needs to be ashamed.

When asked whether he now personally feels a sense of relief, the Episcopal Vicar replied: "In some ways yes, I do not hide my feelings." FOn the persistent speculation that Wagner was never wanted by the Diocese Viehböck answered: "there is evidence that the name of Wagner was not one of the three on the original proposal."

Khol found "Joy" and "hope" in the step of Wagner. The local Catholic Church has now such a weight in Rome, "that it never previously had." Zulehner sees Wagner’s withdrawl as a success for Schönborn, who now has taken back power. The former President of the Parliament, Herbert Schambeck is suspected as a "wire-puller" behind such decisions of the Vatican. Nevertheless, he believes that the Pope thinks a mistake had been made.

"Mr. Wagner deserves the highest respect that he has taken this decision," said Hurka on the withdrawal of Wagner. Nevertheless, there remains an "enormous democracy problem" within the Catholic Church. There must be "substantial work in order that there will be finally a step will be taken towards the people."

Bully boy tactics in Linz

This from the Upper Austrian News prior to the announcement.

Upper Austrian priests to prevent the consecration of Bishop-designate Linz Gerhard Maria Wagner and thus start a kind of "referendum".

According to reports in the "Tiroler Tageszeitung" and the "Rundschau am Sonntag" a circular letter is to be sent to all priests. Moreover, wave of Catholics converting to the Protestant church is reported. The idea comes from a group of liberal priests, whose aim is, in this "referendum" to collect as many signatures as possible and thereby convince the bishop not to take up his office. Also, they want to convince Bishop Ludwig Schwarz not to consecrate Wagner.

If on 22 March in spite of this resistance an episcopal consecration is undertaken, some deans intend, as newspapers report, to have their say during the ceremony and to express their displeasure over the appointment of Wagner's observations. Moreover, the most important functions at the Mass should be undertaken by female servers. So it is possible to get one’s own back on Wagner, because he does not allow female servers in his parish of Windischgarsten.

Conversions to the Protestant Church?

According to the “Rundschau am Sonntag " the discussion about Wagner and the withdrawal of the excommunication of the Holocaust denier Richard Williamson has triggered a wave of Catholics converting to Protestant churches. "Many disgruntled members of the Catholic Church now turn to the Protestant internet chaplaincy with the question of what they do need to become Protestant," said the Senior Church Administrator of the Protestant Church in Austria, Hannelore Reiner.

New Auxillary Bishop of Linz offers resignation

Designated Linz Bishop Wagner retreats

The controversial cleric has asked the Vatican to withdraw his nomination, this corresponded to the request - no comment from the Diocesan Bishop Schwarz.

Maria Gerhard Wagner, Bishop-designate in Linz, retreat and has asked for the withdrawal of his nomination

Linz –This Sunday evening, in connection with the controversial appointment of the vicar of Windischgarsten in Upper Austria, Maria Gerhard Wagner, as the Auxilliary Bishop of Linz, there has been an unexpected twist. Wagner has made a step backwards and requested the Holy See that his nomination should be withdrawn

Wagner has asked the Diocesan Bishop Ludwig Schwarz to send to the media a short statement. It reads: "Given the fierce criticism, I have been in prayer, and after consultation with the diocesan bishop came to the conclusion to ask the Holy Father in Rome to withdraw my nomination as Bishop of Linz."

No comment
The statement was made available to the Communications Office of the Diocese of Linz on Sunday evening. When asked, its director Ferdinand Kaineder said that there would be no further comment from Bishop Schwarz. Similarly, for the time being no further comments are planned. He pointed to the special meeting of the Austrian Bishops' Conference set for Monday in Vienna.

Bully boy tactics in Linz

A day of infamy in the ecclesiastical history of Austria, second only to the Episcopal acceptance of the Anschluss (when Hitler marched in) The Vatican has accepted according to Kathpress that the Vatican has accepted, which will mean, if true, the Pope's decisions will be held ransom across the whole Catholic world. However, no word as yet from the Nuntiature.

Diocese of Linz in open revolt

What a great priest say parishioners

Crisis meeting of Austrian Bishops already had been scheduled for 10.00 am tomorrow.

The Bishops and laity of Austria cannot demand that the SSPX submit immediately to Vatican II which is a Council, while themselves remaining in open revolt against decisions of the Pope, who is the Vicar of Christ.

According to the late evening news in Austria, Bishop Schwarz is "relieved".

I don't normally publish emails for protest but given the gravity of the implications for the whole Catholic Church, I am sure that Cathcon readers will want to email the Bishop. They understand English in Linz but not the obligation of all Catholics to the office, person, work and decisions of the Pope.

Bischof Ludwig Schwarz
Herrenstraße 19
A-4020 Linz

E-Mail:  

bischoefl.sekretariat@dioezese-linz.at

Joy over Wagner's resignation- from all the people you would expect

Also one could write

Seiner Exzellenz 
Dr. Edmond FARHAT 
Titularerzbischof von Byblos 
Apostolischer Nuntius in Österreich 
Theresianumgasse 31 
1040 Wien 

Tel.: +43 1 505 13 27 
Fax: +43 1 505 61 40 
E-Mail: nuntius@nuntiatur.at 
Internet: www.nuntiatur.at

There is  a new Nuntius announced but not yet in post I think.

Austrian Church in Turmoil- crisis meeting of the Bishops' Conference

from the APA – Austria Presse Agentur

Special meeting of the Bishops’ Conference convened
Its now official that the mitres are now burning red hot in Austria. As the appointment of the arch-conservative priest Bishop Wagner has kicken up a storm for weeks, Cardinal Schönborn has this Friday at short notice announced a special meeting of the Austrian Bishops' Conference. Wagner, who has already been reminded by his future colleagues that he should be moderate, however, is not invited.

That the topic of the meeting will be the "current situation of the Church in Austria", is official. "The Catholics have a right to insist that we do our best to overcome the crisis," said the Cardinal, who has officially talked about "damage limitation". The current tensions have brought irritation and resignation brought, but this is mainly about the future of the church in Austria, said Schönborn.

Only the diocesan bishops, including the military diocesan have been invited to the special advisory meeting on the crisis, which excludes Wagner as a designated auxiliary Bishop. He will meet his colleagues for the first time in this forum at the spring General Assembly in Innsbruck in March - even before his inauguration . The special meeting will be held on Monday at 10 clock in the Archbishop's Palace in Vienna.

Few bishops on Friday spoke about the crisis meeting . The Diocesan of Styria, Bishop Kapellari expects that a "careful analysis with a sense of proportion." Problems were not to be talked down, "but should be clearly identified," he said.

Wagner must already take criticism from his colleagues, Kapellari let ring out at the conclusion of his visit to Rome. Wagner spent the last few days in Rome, where he apparently was requested to fulfil his new role as pontifex- bridge builder. Previously, interview restrictions had already been placed on him. Wagner had "admittedly not very cleverly argued," said Kapellari.

Cathcon: that’s Episcopal code for “why on earth has a man as Catholic as this been made a Bishop in Austria?”

Hat tip

While the libero-clerical elite of the Diocese of Linz kick up a storm of hate

The Catholic Youth of his former parish speak out loud and clear on the excellence of Bishop Wagner (sorry, its in German). Not one of the 34 deans who voted against the Bishop will have such support in their own parishes. The reality is that they conceal their own problems by such actions, disobedient to both bishop and Pope.

As they say in Austria, Bishop Wagner is made out of a better wood.

Or is the last speaker says, He is a priest with his entire being.

More soon.

Diocese of Linz in open revolt against the Pope

Diözese bekommt den Unmut über die Ernennung Wagners zu spüren Nachrichten.at

Diocese expresses displeasure over the appointment of Bishop Wagner

WELS / LINZ. Crisis atmosphere in the Diocese of Linz: Numerous people are leaving the church as a result of the recent decisions of the Vatican, the deaneries by a large majority oppose the appointment of Gerhard Wagner as Bishop.

110 departures from the Catholic Church in Linz, four times as many as in the first week of February 2008, 31 in Urfahr and the surrounding area (2008: six), 80 since the beginning of the year in Vöcklabruck, 23 in the region around Wels against four in the same period last year : In recent days, the number of departures from the Church has markedly increased.

"We still have no overview of the numbers. But to link the increased outflow with the upcoming demands to be sent out for the church tax, would be wrong, "diocesan spokesman Ferdinand Kaineder confirmed to the OÖN. Indeed, the diocese has received numerous letters and emails received which give the rationale for leaving the Church "Two issues are at the forefront: the decision of the Pope to reverse the excommunication of the four bishops of the Lefebvre Fraternity and the appointment of Bishop Gerhard Wagner," says Kaineder. These numerous and specifically justified withdrawal statements were unusual. "We need to talk: A church is not the word of the Pope, but parochial life, that works," This is how Kaineder sees the challenge.

Deaneries against Wagner

Also in the Upper Austrian clergy Wagner has few supporters. Yesterday the Conference of Deans voted in Wels on his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop. The result: 31 of the 35 deans present rejected the decision by Pope Benedict XVI and only four stood behind Wagner. The deans are the priestly heads of several parishes and are appointed by the Bishop on a proposal from the Diocesan Pastoral Conference. Archdeacon Franz Wild had to insist after the decision that it should be made public.

In canon law, the decision is not binding. Area Dean Arno Jungreithmayr (guess which one of the three men pictured left with the Protestant Minister of Wels) said however it is a clear signal. Appointments could also be undone.

More soon on how highly regarded Bishop Wagner is by ordinary praying Catholics in contrast to the pseudo-clerical and libero-clerical elite that try to run the Diocese on behalf of the bishop. It must be the only place in the world where the Bishop has to suffer his predecessor's name as well as his own being inserted in the Canon of the Mass- but I am open to be proved wrong on this point.

The Bishop of Linz hit back tonight. Bishop Wagner was criticised for not being available for interviews- he is in Rome to receive the blessing of the Pope.