Cardinal: God has also become a "great unknown" in the Church

Cardinal Woelki: Bishops, do not resign yourself!

Fewer and fewer Catholics, fewer and fewer priesthood candidates. The social influence of the church also diminishes. But the Church does not live by numbers and successes, says Cardinal Woelki.

1 Corinthians

[3] For I delivered unto you first of all, which I also received: how that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures: Tradidi enim vobis in primis quod et accepi : quoniam Christus mortuus est pro peccatis nostris secundum Scripturas :

 
The Cardinal with his illustrious predecessor, Cardinal Meisner, who was one of the last bulwarks in the German church.

Bishops Annual Plenary Meeting Fulda - 27.09.2017

The Cologne Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki appealed to the German bishops not to become resigned in face of declining numbers and a "clearly diminishing social influence" of the church. The Church does not live by numbers and successes, "but only by "being regarded" by God," said Woelki on Wednesday in Fulda Cathedral. The Church must testify to God by a good word, a good outlook and a helping hand in everyday life, according to the Cardinal of Cologne in a Mass with the German bishops. They have been meeting at Fulda since Monday.

Woelki named Saint Vincent de Paul (1581-1660), whose feastday the Catholic Church commemorates today. Vinzenz, through his simple, inconspicuous activity in everyday life, had made the poor and needy people feel how good and merciful God was. Vincent is considered to be one of the founders of modern ecclesiastical care for the poor.

Woelki: God has also become a "great unknown" in the Church

At the same time, Woelki also diagnosed an increasing religious ignorance within the Church. God had also become a "great unknown" to many Catholics. Altogether the Christian, especially in ecclesiastical form, seems to evaporate today, according to the Cardinal.

The focus of the debates of the bishops today is the environmental encyclical "Laudato si" by Pope Francis from the year 2014.

Source

Acts of the Apostles 17

[22] But Paul standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are too superstitious. Stans autem Paulus in medio Areopagi, ait : Viri Athenienses, per omnia quasi superstitiosiores vos video. 

 [23] For passing by, and seeing your idols, I found an altar also, on which was written: To the unknown God. What therefore you worship, without knowing it, that I preach to you: Praeteriens enim, et videns simulacra vestra, inveni et aram, in qua scriptum erat : Ignoto Deo. Quod ergo ignorantes colitis, hoc ego annuntio vobis.

Cathcon: This gives a whole new meaning about going back to the early church.   All too many have kept on going and reverted to paganism.