‘Miracle’: Cebu’s Cardinal Vidal wakes up from coma

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Physicians attending to Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal described the former prelate’s revival from a two-day coma as a miracle, saying they were preparing for the worst.

Vidal, 86, the country’s most senior cardinal, was rushed to the Perpetual Succour Hospital past 2 am on Wednesday, October 11, due to fever and shortness of breath. The retired cardinal, however, collapsed a few hours later in the same hospital and fell into a coma."



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Full interview- Cardinal Müller speaks out on Catechism, Amoris Laetitia and the Correctio Filialis, attacks bishops

"Clarify the unclear and do not obscure the clear"

Cardinal Gerhard Müller on over 25 years of the World Catechism and the question of whether "Amoris laetitia" is Thomistic.

Eminence, the Catechism of the Catholic Church is now a quarter-century old. It is always said that the theologians in Germany had at that time been somewhat disdainful and judged it as handed down from above. You were a dogmatic theologian in Munich at that time. How did you receive the new Compendium of the Faith from Rome in 1992?

At that time, I let internationally renowned theologians write profound analysis on the subject as I was the chief editor of the Munich Theological Journal. That has found a good response. However, there were some disagreeable objections from colleagues who were fed more by an anti- Roman resentment. The opponents of that time have become enthusiastic Papal devotees.

Is this World Catechism a summary of the theology and results of the Second Vatican Council, or a step back behind the Council, as critics claim?

Certainly, it is a good summary of the entire doctrine of the Church in the light of the Second Vatican. The slogans such as "beyond the Council" - the so-called "Bologna School" - or "behind it" are simply stupid, that every historical and systematic expert knowledge glances off.

The time has passed since 1992. The Holy Year 2000 came, including the great prayer of forgiveness of the Latin Church, then the teaching of Benedict XVI and finally that of Pope Francis. Must one today "rewrite" the World Catechism, that is to say, to supplement more recent aspects – on is thinking of "Amoris laetitia"?

It is certainly possible to supplement some aspects of the doctrinal development in a ne32 version in response to new medical, bioethical and scientific challenges. The content of the Faith handed down by the Apostles, the "depositum fidei", is both invariable and variable in its forms of expression and understanding. It is worthwhile to study on this subject the second chapter of the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, "Dei verbum" of the Second Vatican Council entitled " Handing On Divine Revelation".

The debate on "Amoris laetitia" is relentless and it is always said that at the theological core this post-synodal writing is pure Thomism. In the Second Synod on Marriage and the Family, it was above all the German linguistic circle, which apparently, on the basis of the propositions of Saint Thomas Aquinas, united itself to a common language rule. You sat in this language group. What happened then?

I myself have raised the reference to Questions 79 and 80 of the Third Part of the "Summa theologiae" in this language group, so that Cardinal Christoph Schönborn was happy about all that his brother of the Order had already written six hundred years ago on the subject of the lawful and fruitful Reception of the Eucharist. It is said that the final report was adopted with one vote, namely mine. The truth however was this vote was secret. If the Holy Father calls the "Doctor communis" to assist the right interpretation of "Amoris laetitia" in the light of the Catholic doctrine of the sacrament defined at the Council of Trent, then this can mean only in the explanations of "Amoris laetitia" to make the clarity of St. Thomas the criterion, and not vice versa. We want to clarify the unclear and not to obscure the clear. In an introductory essay to an essay by Professor Rocco Buttiglione, I tried to make the most of the situation. The unity of the Church must be preserved in the truth of the Gospel.

See also Cardinal Schönborn on the writing of the Catechism

Could St Thomas, therefore, sign the pastoral instructions which the Bishops of Malta, the Philippines, or the Greater Buenos Aires district have given to their parish priest on the basis of "Amoris laetitia" especially with regard to the remarried divorced?

Some of these episcopal statements have attempted a purely textual interpretation of "Amoris laetitia". They thought that, in a mere doctrinal positivism, they could dispense with the examination of their theses against the findings of the entire teaching tradition of the Church, and above all in the corpus of Scripture, and still with the renunciation of the principles of interpretation of Catholic theology based on Revelation itself. The applause of the published opinion is by no means a theological criterion. A synopsis of these texts with the corresponding statements of St. Thomas on the Sacraments of Repentance, the Eucharist and marriage, conscience, the commandments of God and the concept of grave sin and the state of sanctifying grace could open many eyes.

There are "doubts" on some points of "Amoris laetitia". The "Correctio filialis" has brought the accusation of heresy into the room. You propose a mediated dialogue between advocates and critics of Papal letter. How could this look?

There has been a gap developing between fierce critics and most biting advocates. The dispute can neither be extinguished nor solved by an attempted knock-out blow. We must solve the theological and pastoral problems objectively with an advance of trust and help the affected persons as best they can on their way to God. Neither can the indissolubility of the marriage be shaken, nor can we remain inactive in the face of the many marriage crises. Somehow, both concerns are correct. Some set a stop sign in front of a dangerous ditch, the others are already trying to build bridges over it. Both are necessary on the path of salvation.

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Question 79 On the Effects of the Sacrament

Question 80 The Use or Receiving of the Sacrament in General

Cardinal Müller criticises national episcopal conferences on Amoris Laetitia

Müller: Do not sit out dispute over Amoris Laetitia

Gerhard Ludwig Müller promotes a dialogue between supporters and critics of "Amoris laetitia". At the same time he sees a red line in the interpretation of the letter, which should not be crossed.

Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller has again promoted a dialogue in the dispute over the interpretation of the Papal letter, "Amoris laetitia" on marriage and family. "A gap has been opened between the most critical critics and the most biting advocates," the former prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith analysed in an interview with the Catholic newspaper "Die Tagespost" (Saturday) in Würzburg. "The dispute can neither be extinguished nor solved by any knock-out hits being attempted."

Müller: Pastoral care must help with marriages

Mueller says that "with an advance of trust, the theological and pastoral problems should be solved objectively and the affected persons would be best be helped on their way to God." The indissolubility of the marriage cannot be shaken. In view of the many marriage crises, however, one should not remain inactive in pastoral care. "Somehow, both concerns are right. Some set a stop sign before a dangerous ditch, the others are trying to build bridges over it." "Both are necessary" on the path of salvation.

The Cardinal also criticised the interpretations of several national and regional bishops' conferences, including Malta and the Philippines, which derive from the Papal letter that re-married divorced persons could be admitted to communion in certain circumstances. Some of these episcopal declarations were of the opinion that they could forgo the basic principles of interpretation of the Catholic Church, Müller complained. The applause of the published opinion, however, is "not a theological criterion."

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Protestants could be admitted to Catholic Communion next year according to Protestant leader

In the opinion of the Council President of the Protestant Church in Germany, Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, Protestants could be admitted to the Catholic communion.

 

"You have to talk about it," said Bedford-Strohm on Friday in Munich. The Catholic German Bishops' Conference was discussing this and wrestling with the issue a bit. "We may be anxious; I am very optimistic that there will be a result next year. "The Reformation Jubilee has strengthened ecumenism, said the Bavarian regional bishop.

There was much friendship and confidence between the two great Christian churches in comparison to the past few years: "What two or three years ago there was distrust with regard to the celebration of this year, where the Catholics thought the Protestants now want to promote themselves. "

On October 31, 500 years ago, the reformer Martin Luther (1483-1546) had succeeded in nailing his 95 theses against the indulgences on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. This led to the division of the church. In Bavaria, there were more than 4000 events for the anniversary.

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Bishop resigns after clashing with his diocese over Latin Mass

Pope accepts premature retirement from the French bishop

French radio station reports about clashes between members of the rural diocese of Lucon and their local bishop

Pope Francis accepted the premature retirement of the Bishop of Lucon, Alain Castet. This was announced by the Vatican and the French Bishops' Conference on Thursday. The 67-year-old headed the Loire diocese in western France since 2008. Reasons for the resignation were not officially named.

The French radio station "Franceinfo" reports of numerous clashes between members of the rural diocese and the bishop who worked 33 years in Paris. One reason was his participation in a meeting of the traditionalist of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter in Wigratzbad. In addition, the broadcaster reports that the bishop celebrates the Mass, especially according to the pre-conciliar rite and basically without women at the altar. His communication behaviour is described as difficult.

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Archdiocese organises "Miss Catholic Youth" Competition

Archbishopric seeks the most beautiful Catholic

Do beauty and Christian faith go together? A Mexican archbishopric has no problem with this - and therefore something special can arise for the pastoral work with youth.

The Mexican Archdiocese of Durango has come up with something special for the diocesan "Year of Youth": a competition should select the most beautiful youthful Catholic. With the motto "For the most beautiful thing a woman has is the love of Christ", the diocesan department for pastoral care of youth advertises a Facebook post for the selection of the beauty queen. The "Señorita Juventud Católica" (Miss Catholic Youth) should be an "image of the mercy and love of God, but with the joy of youth".

The applicants must be between 15 and 20 years old according to the Facebook promotion, possess beauty and sympathy and "above all love of Christ". Further prerequisites are basic knowledge of the Catholic faith and membership in a church youth group, which must support their candidate.

The dress for the performance before the jury of the competition, however, should not be "vulgar", which is why the breast of the participants should be covered. The elected beauty queen will be elected before the beginning of the "Year of Youth" on October 22nd, and will preside until 2018. In Mexico, beauty contests are very popular and individual church communities offer these crowning of beauty queens. (Rome)

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