Linz Bishop let Father Wagner fall

KATH.NET - Katholischer Nachrichtendienst

Josef Bauer, the spokesman of the Linz Circle of Priests(LPK) gave an interview to the Linz Kirchenzeitung: "First to organise a rabbit hunt, then to offer dialogue, looks like cynicism" regrets Josef Bauer, Parish Priest of Hohenzell and Chairman of the Linz Circle of Priests, on the case of Wagner in conversation with the Kirchenzeitung. The Linz circle (LPK) was formed around 20 years ago, because their approximately 30 members did not feel that their pastoral concerns were represented in the official Diocesan Council of Priests.

Bauer cannot recognise the basis for dialogue, as it had been shown that the conversation does not make a lot of sense. This is because there are cartels of power in the Diocese of Linz, where one bishop after another must follow the line developed in Linz. And if you cannot commit to this line, one will be shot down like Bishop Wagner. "

A Bishop Rudigier prayer circle specially formed by the LPK prays especially for the concerns of priests. Even three days before the appointment of Gerhard, they had specifically prayed for Bishop Ludwig Schwarz.

The opposition to Wagner showed, "that in the Diocese of Linz in the last three or four decades an un-Catholic attitude has lodged." As the specific fundamentals of Catholicism, Bauer cited the love of the Eucharist, the love of Mary and the love for the Pope. Lastly, he could not make out the "deaneries who went mad," refusing to recognise Fr Wagner as a bishop and spoke of a "hardening against the Pope."

Wagner would have remained if Bishop Ludwig had not let him fall. "But the bishop became fearful." And Bauer continued: "When Bishop Ludwig at his consecration on September 18, 2005 in Linz Cathedral announced in his homily that he would be united to the Holy Father in all humility, reverence and obedience, I thought: If you would only stay the course! ... It seems that it is hard to do that. "

Comments

Host said…
So, Austria is basically a schismatic church now?
Frank said…
As a Catholic born in the archdiocese of New Orleans, I'm quite happy to see Wagner lose this position. His comments about the city of New Olreans were ruthless, crude, arrogant, and self-righteous. Wagner should meditate on the fact that his own city was the cultural capital of the Third Reich.
May Fr. Wagner get elevated to co-adjutor or replace the current bishop.