Cardinals line up to put Pope's favorite cardinal in his place- interview with Cardinal Kasper
The "preventive war" in view of the Synod: a new book is
published with interventions by Muller, Burke, Caffara, Brandmuller and De
Paolis who declare inadmissible the proposal to open in certain cases communion
todivorced and remarried. Scola and Pell are also on the same line. Kasper:
"No to a second marriage, but a raft for escape. It takes mercy"
Source- Vatican Insider:
published with interventions by Muller, Burke, Caffara, Brandmuller and De
Paolis who declare inadmissible the proposal to open in certain cases communion
todivorced and remarried. Scola and Pell are also on the same line. Kasper:
"No to a second marriage, but a raft for escape. It takes mercy"
It has never happened that a Prefect in charge of the Congregation for
the Doctrine of the Faith has published in a few weeks, two books to declare
inadmissible any change in the Church's position on an issue that is being
discussed by a synod. Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, who from 2012 took over
leadership of the former Holy Office last July has published a book-length
interview contrary to every opening to communion for the divorced and remarried
("The hope of the family" Ares Editions), and is now the most
prominent name among the authors of a new collection of essays entitled
"Remaining in the truth of Christ" (already released in the United
States, published in Italy by Cantagalli, the contents of which were released
in advance yesterday by Corriere della Sera ).
the Doctrine of the Faith has published in a few weeks, two books to declare
inadmissible any change in the Church's position on an issue that is being
discussed by a synod. Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, who from 2012 took over
leadership of the former Holy Office last July has published a book-length
interview contrary to every opening to communion for the divorced and remarried
("The hope of the family" Ares Editions), and is now the most
prominent name among the authors of a new collection of essays entitled
"Remaining in the truth of Christ" (already released in the United
States, published in Italy by Cantagalli, the contents of which were released
in advance yesterday by Corriere della Sera ).
Signing with him are four other cardinals, Carlo Caffara, archbishop of
Bologna; Raymond Leo Burke, Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, and emeriti
Cardinals Walter Brandmüller and Velasio De Paolis, to which are added the
Archbishop Cyril Vasil', secretary of the Congregation for the Oriental
Churches, and other experts. Both volumes are devoted entirely to the issue of
participation in the Eucharist for the divorced and those living a second
marriage, declaring it inadmissible.
Bologna; Raymond Leo Burke, Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, and emeriti
Cardinals Walter Brandmüller and Velasio De Paolis, to which are added the
Archbishop Cyril Vasil', secretary of the Congregation for the Oriental
Churches, and other experts. Both volumes are devoted entirely to the issue of
participation in the Eucharist for the divorced and those living a second
marriage, declaring it inadmissible.
The unprecedented media operation - which now sees also added on the
same line the contribution of Cardinal Angelo Scola and a book out from the
Australian Cardinal George Pell, "Economy Minister" Vatican - is
presented as a response to the hypothesized opening statements in February this
year by the German Cardinal Walter Kasper, whom Francis had entrusted the
introductory statement of the consistory. In the presence of all the cardinals,
Kasper had talked about the theme of the family and in the latter part of his
articulate speech had suggested - in each case, subject to certain conditions
and after a course of penance - the possibility of the divorced and remarried being
readmitted to communion. The report had many reactions among the cardinals, and
the next day, taking up the discourse, Francis had said he had found value in
it, saying that Kasper had a "kneeling theology" and to have found
"the love of the Church." In the following months following the
publication of this text, interviews have multiplied. The positions are
polarized, the confrontation and the clash taking place in the media, as it did
during the Second Vatican Council.
same line the contribution of Cardinal Angelo Scola and a book out from the
Australian Cardinal George Pell, "Economy Minister" Vatican - is
presented as a response to the hypothesized opening statements in February this
year by the German Cardinal Walter Kasper, whom Francis had entrusted the
introductory statement of the consistory. In the presence of all the cardinals,
Kasper had talked about the theme of the family and in the latter part of his
articulate speech had suggested - in each case, subject to certain conditions
and after a course of penance - the possibility of the divorced and remarried being
readmitted to communion. The report had many reactions among the cardinals, and
the next day, taking up the discourse, Francis had said he had found value in
it, saying that Kasper had a "kneeling theology" and to have found
"the love of the Church." In the following months following the
publication of this text, interviews have multiplied. The positions are
polarized, the confrontation and the clash taking place in the media, as it did
during the Second Vatican Council.
Francis, who considers the message of mercy crucial continues to invite
the Church to step outside herself to meet the men and women in the conditions
in which they live, wishes there should be celebrated two synods on the family:
the first extraordinary, will be held October 5 to 19 this year. The work will
continue with the involvement of local churches and in October 2015 a new
Synod, this time ordinary will conclude the reflections. Vatican Insider
interviewed Cardinal Walter Kasper about this.
the Church to step outside herself to meet the men and women in the conditions
in which they live, wishes there should be celebrated two synods on the family:
the first extraordinary, will be held October 5 to 19 this year. The work will
continue with the involvement of local churches and in October 2015 a new
Synod, this time ordinary will conclude the reflections. Vatican Insider
interviewed Cardinal Walter Kasper about this.
Last February, you spoke to the cardinals on the theme of the Synod, and
has put forward a proposal on the possibility of communion for divorced and
remarried. In what way?
has put forward a proposal on the possibility of communion for divorced and
remarried. In what way?
"I have not proposed a final solution, but - after having agreed
with the Pope - I asked questions and offered considerations for possible
answers. This is the main topic: the sacrament of marriage is a grace of God
that makes the couple a sign of His grace and His love in finality. But even a
Christian can fail and unfortunately many Christian marriages fail. God in His
faithfulness does not drop anyone and in His mercy gives to anyone who wants to
convert a new chance. Therefore the Church which is the sacrament that is the
sign and instrument of God's mercy, should be close, help, advise and encourage.
A Christian in this situation has a particular need of the grace of the
sacraments. A second marriage cannot be granted but - as said the Fathers of
the Church - after the shipwreck, a raft to survive. Not a second sacramental
marriage, but the sacramental means necessary in his situation. This is not a
solution for all cases, which are very different, but for those who do all that
is possible for them in their situation. "
with the Pope - I asked questions and offered considerations for possible
answers. This is the main topic: the sacrament of marriage is a grace of God
that makes the couple a sign of His grace and His love in finality. But even a
Christian can fail and unfortunately many Christian marriages fail. God in His
faithfulness does not drop anyone and in His mercy gives to anyone who wants to
convert a new chance. Therefore the Church which is the sacrament that is the
sign and instrument of God's mercy, should be close, help, advise and encourage.
A Christian in this situation has a particular need of the grace of the
sacraments. A second marriage cannot be granted but - as said the Fathers of
the Church - after the shipwreck, a raft to survive. Not a second sacramental
marriage, but the sacramental means necessary in his situation. This is not a
solution for all cases, which are very different, but for those who do all that
is possible for them in their situation. "
Is the indissolubility of Christian marriage questioned?
"The doctrine of the indissolubility of sacramental marriage is
rooted in the message of Jesus, the Church has no power to change it. This
point remains stationary. A second sacramental marriage, while the former
partner is alive, is not possible. But we must distinguish the doctrine of the
discipline, from the pastorally complex situations. In addition, the doctrine
of the Church is not a closed system: the Second Vatican Council teaches that
there is a development possible in the sense of a deepening. I wonder whether
it is possible in this case to provide a depth similar to what occurred in
ecclesiology: although the Catholic Church is the true Church of Christ, there
are elements of the ecclesial even outside the institutional boundaries of the
Catholic Church. In some cases, you might even recognize in a civil marriage the
elements of sacramental marriage? For example, the final commitment, love and
mutual caring, the Christian life, the public commitment that there is in de
facto couples? ".
rooted in the message of Jesus, the Church has no power to change it. This
point remains stationary. A second sacramental marriage, while the former
partner is alive, is not possible. But we must distinguish the doctrine of the
discipline, from the pastorally complex situations. In addition, the doctrine
of the Church is not a closed system: the Second Vatican Council teaches that
there is a development possible in the sense of a deepening. I wonder whether
it is possible in this case to provide a depth similar to what occurred in
ecclesiology: although the Catholic Church is the true Church of Christ, there
are elements of the ecclesial even outside the institutional boundaries of the
Catholic Church. In some cases, you might even recognize in a civil marriage the
elements of sacramental marriage? For example, the final commitment, love and
mutual caring, the Christian life, the public commitment that there is in de
facto couples? ".
How welcome was the release of this new book with the
contributions of five cardinals including Prefect Müller?
contributions of five cardinals including Prefect Müller?
"I was surprised. Only today I have been informed by
journalists: they were sent the text, I was not. Throughout my academic life
such a thing has never happened to me. "
journalists: they were sent the text, I was not. Throughout my academic life
such a thing has never happened to me. "
Has it happened before in the recent history of the
Church, that the Cardinals have intervened in this manner and organized
publicly before a Synod?
Church, that the Cardinals have intervened in this manner and organized
publicly before a Synod?
"During the Second Vatican Council and the
post-conciliar period, there was resistance of some cardinals to Pope Paul VI,
also by the then Prefect of the Holy Office. But - if you are well informed -
not organized in this manner and in public. If the cardinals who are the
closest collaborators of the Pope, intervene in this way, at least as regards
the more recent history of the Church, we are faced with a new situation.
"
post-conciliar period, there was resistance of some cardinals to Pope Paul VI,
also by the then Prefect of the Holy Office. But - if you are well informed -
not organized in this manner and in public. If the cardinals who are the
closest collaborators of the Pope, intervene in this way, at least as regards
the more recent history of the Church, we are faced with a new situation.
"
What do you expect to happen in the next few weeks, during
the Synodal discussion?
the Synodal discussion?
"I hope that we can have a quiet and sincere exchange
of pastoral experiences, arguments, in an atmosphere of listening. Not
ready-made answers, but clarification of the status quaestionis and then
there's a full year for discussion at the local level, prior to decisions in
2015. "
of pastoral experiences, arguments, in an atmosphere of listening. Not
ready-made answers, but clarification of the status quaestionis and then
there's a full year for discussion at the local level, prior to decisions in
2015. "
Does Papa Francesco speaks too much about mercy?
"How is it possible to speak too much of an issue that
is central in the Old and New Testament? Surely mercy is not in contradiction
with the doctrine, because it is itself a revealed truth, and does not detract
from the commandments of the Lord, but it is a hermeneutical key to their
interpretation. Already Pope John XXIII at the opening of the council said:
"Today the Church must use the medicine of mercy rather than take up arms
of rigour." Mercy is therefore the central theme of the era and
post-conciliar Catholic Church. "
is central in the Old and New Testament? Surely mercy is not in contradiction
with the doctrine, because it is itself a revealed truth, and does not detract
from the commandments of the Lord, but it is a hermeneutical key to their
interpretation. Already Pope John XXIII at the opening of the council said:
"Today the Church must use the medicine of mercy rather than take up arms
of rigour." Mercy is therefore the central theme of the era and
post-conciliar Catholic Church. "
Source- Vatican Insider:
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