Despite reports, Cardinal will not or cannot ban leading dissident from his diocese

Erzbistum: Kardinal verbietet Auftritt Gaillots in Köln nicht | Nachrichten - domradio.de
Archdiocese: Cardinal does not prohibit the appearance of Gaillot in Cologne

The Archdiocese of Cologne denied a newspaper report that Cardinal Joachim Meisner would ban an appearance in Cologne by the French bishop Jacques Gaillot compulsory retirement would ban in Cologne. The report in the "Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger" (Tuesday) was denied by Archdiocese spokesman Christopher Heckeley on Monday . He confirmed, however, a letter from the Vicar General of Cologne, Stefan Heße to Gaillot saying that Meisner was "surprised" that he had not been informed in advance of Gaillot's appearance. Gaillot, who has criticized the church's stance on celibacy, artificial contraception and homosexuality was in 1995 relieved by Pope John Paul II of the leadership of the diocese of Evreux. In 2004, he was prevented from attending by Meisner an event in the town of St. Kilian in Erftstadt. On Thursday, the Cologne Karl Rahner Academy has invited Gaillot for an interview with journalist Ulrich Harbecke from Erftstadt on "the Gospel and the Modern". According to Heckeley, Heße recalled in his letter the correspondence between Meisner and Gaillot in 2004. Gaillot had expressed his respect for ecclesiastical regulations, that he might not appear in a strange diocese without the consent of the local bishop. Meisner was now even more amazed that he had learned by chance about the planned appearance of Gaillot on Thursday. Next Heckeley emphasized that there could not be any ban from the Archbishop, since Gaillot was not attending an institution of the Archdiocese. According to the "Stadt-Anzeiger", the 76-year-old Gaillot will still be coming to the discussion evening in Cologne. As a "retired bishop," he ought to be able to move freely anywhere in the world. In recent years he has worked as an author, pastor for marginalized groups and for a "virtual diocese" www.partenia.org which he founded. The "Karl Rahner Academy," was headed until 2009 by a Jesuit. In 2006, the Archdiocese of Cologne removed their financial support because of cost-cutting measures. Since then, the academy claims to be financially supported only by participants and volunteers, friends and sponsors.