Sociologist called Marx, new Archbishop of Munich
Translation of a German press report. But nothing to get concerned about! He is in fact a cigar toting conservative.
Reinhard Marx, Bishop of Trier is known as a theological conservative but one who is open to the people. The 54 year old ecclesiastic has the best prospects of succeeding Cardinal Wetter as Archbishop of Munich. Limburg also gets a new bishop.
For months in Bavaria and in Rome, possible successors to the Munich-Cardinal Friedrich Wetter (79) have spun around on the carousel.
Now it is rumoured in church circles that the Bishop of Trier, Reinhard Marx will move to the top of the largest Bavarian diocese. An official confirmation has not been forthcoming but the appointment seems likely soon. The ascent of the 54 year old Westfalian (known for his ‘baroque’ form- Cathcon note- pun on his size and beliefs.) has been rapid: Pope John Paul II appointed in 1996 the former professor of Christian social sciences to the Paderborn Bishopric and in 2001 to be the diocesan bishop in Trier, the oldest Episcopal seat in Germany. In Munich, Marx will not only chair the Freising Bishops' Conference (Cathcon: of the Bavarian Bishops), but also has prospects of being the successor to Cardinal Karl Lehmann at the head of the German Bishops' Conference. Before the Lehmann era, the Cologne and Munich archbishops alternated in this role. Furthermore, a Cardinal’s hat is only a matter of time. The affable churchman is quick-witted, discussion friendly and has no fears about the media. He has overseen administrative matters and pastoral care in the Diocese of Trier, while there was a divisive structural reform being implemented, and has on occasion rubbed people up the wrong way. At the same time, he sees himself as a "Merrymaker in the Faith", seeking "the witness of a happy and contented priest".
Marx likes a strong cigar and sip a good wine. Marx has long acted as a social expert in the German Bishops' Conference. Many anecdotes are associated with his surname. In the GDR era, he says, "the border guards were surprised by the “Christian Democrat Marx." When the professor, following the collapse of communism, held seminars in East Germany on Catholic social doctrine, he could not resist pointed remark:
"For 40 years have you been waiting for Marx. Well, he came and is a Catholic priest." According to media reports, the only remaining favorite in the Cardinal Wetter-succession stakes is not a nostalgic for redistribution of the "Heart of Jesus Marxist" type. His ideas about the reform of the welfare state in the direction of greater self-responsibility and subsidiarity are more neo-social and conform with the key messages of the new CSU-Basic Programme. His criticism of "inflated manager salaries" has been shared by the former Bavarian Minister-President Edmund Stoiber. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether and how Marx will continue the traditionally close relationship between the Catholic Church and CSU-lead state government. Theologically, ecclesiastically, and especially liturgically Marx thinks as a conservative. "We cannot depend on opinion polls to decide on what we believe," he says. And: "He who marries the spirit of the age, is tomorrow a widower (CS Lewis original Cathcon note)" When the Saarbrück priest and theology professor, Gotthold Hasenhüttl invited evangelical Christians to communion at one of the fringe events of the First Ecumenical Church Day in 2003 in Berlin (although this was forbidden), Marx was forced to intervene. As the responsible local bishop, he suspended Hasenhüttl from his offices. The professor had too demonstratively violated the good order of the church. Limburg also gets a new chief shepherd. Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst is to be the successor of Bishop Kamphaus.
Reinhard Marx, Bishop of Trier is known as a theological conservative but one who is open to the people. The 54 year old ecclesiastic has the best prospects of succeeding Cardinal Wetter as Archbishop of Munich. Limburg also gets a new bishop.
For months in Bavaria and in Rome, possible successors to the Munich-Cardinal Friedrich Wetter (79) have spun around on the carousel.
Now it is rumoured in church circles that the Bishop of Trier, Reinhard Marx will move to the top of the largest Bavarian diocese. An official confirmation has not been forthcoming but the appointment seems likely soon. The ascent of the 54 year old Westfalian (known for his ‘baroque’ form- Cathcon note- pun on his size and beliefs.) has been rapid: Pope John Paul II appointed in 1996 the former professor of Christian social sciences to the Paderborn Bishopric and in 2001 to be the diocesan bishop in Trier, the oldest Episcopal seat in Germany. In Munich, Marx will not only chair the Freising Bishops' Conference (Cathcon: of the Bavarian Bishops), but also has prospects of being the successor to Cardinal Karl Lehmann at the head of the German Bishops' Conference. Before the Lehmann era, the Cologne and Munich archbishops alternated in this role. Furthermore, a Cardinal’s hat is only a matter of time. The affable churchman is quick-witted, discussion friendly and has no fears about the media. He has overseen administrative matters and pastoral care in the Diocese of Trier, while there was a divisive structural reform being implemented, and has on occasion rubbed people up the wrong way. At the same time, he sees himself as a "Merrymaker in the Faith", seeking "the witness of a happy and contented priest".
Marx likes a strong cigar and sip a good wine. Marx has long acted as a social expert in the German Bishops' Conference. Many anecdotes are associated with his surname. In the GDR era, he says, "the border guards were surprised by the “Christian Democrat Marx." When the professor, following the collapse of communism, held seminars in East Germany on Catholic social doctrine, he could not resist pointed remark:
"For 40 years have you been waiting for Marx. Well, he came and is a Catholic priest." According to media reports, the only remaining favorite in the Cardinal Wetter-succession stakes is not a nostalgic for redistribution of the "Heart of Jesus Marxist" type. His ideas about the reform of the welfare state in the direction of greater self-responsibility and subsidiarity are more neo-social and conform with the key messages of the new CSU-Basic Programme. His criticism of "inflated manager salaries" has been shared by the former Bavarian Minister-President Edmund Stoiber. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether and how Marx will continue the traditionally close relationship between the Catholic Church and CSU-lead state government. Theologically, ecclesiastically, and especially liturgically Marx thinks as a conservative. "We cannot depend on opinion polls to decide on what we believe," he says. And: "He who marries the spirit of the age, is tomorrow a widower (CS Lewis original Cathcon note)" When the Saarbrück priest and theology professor, Gotthold Hasenhüttl invited evangelical Christians to communion at one of the fringe events of the First Ecumenical Church Day in 2003 in Berlin (although this was forbidden), Marx was forced to intervene. As the responsible local bishop, he suspended Hasenhüttl from his offices. The professor had too demonstratively violated the good order of the church. Limburg also gets a new chief shepherd. Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst is to be the successor of Bishop Kamphaus.
Champagne or Orange Juice. Bishop Marx with Cardinal Lehmann
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