Pope criticised from all sides in Cologne

Time is on the side of Cardinal Woelki

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There is growing astonishment among the Cologne clergy about the way the Cardinal is being treated. The entire Archdiocese is longing for a Vatican decision on Woelki's future. A commentary.

Even priests who do not agree with every decision of their Ordinary show solidarity with their boss in his public humiliation.

Much has happened since Pope Francis declared in an interview in mid-June that he would not be pressured into a decision on the Cologne cardinal's role. The Public Prosecutor's Office exonerated the Cardinal from accusations of possible criminal negligence in dealing with a convicted abuser and refused to open an investigation on the grounds that there was no initial suspicion.

Publication of church statistics dampens criticism of Woelki

The publication of church statistics also dampened criticism of Woelki. The publicist, Carsten Frerk, of all people, burst the media-hyped myth of the "Woelki effect", according to which the Archdiocese of Cologne is supposed to have had by far the largest number of people leaving the Church in recent months. The resignation figures, however, showed that not the Archdiocese of Cologne but other dioceses were at the forefront of the exodus, although significantly more Catholics have turned their backs on their church on the Rhine as well.

Standing ovation for Cardinal Woelki in Neviges

The fact that Frerk, otherwise a quite sharp critic of the Church, defended Woelki on the basis of statistics is symptomatic: Time is working for Cardinal Woelki, the longer that Pope Francis is taking. 

In the Cologne clergy, there is growing astonishment at the way the cardinal is being treated. Even priests who do not agree with every decision of their Ordinary are showing solidarity with the publicly humiliated boss. More and more priests are answering the question of whether Cardinal Woelki deserves such a long wait with a clear "no". Cologne's Vicar General, Guido Assmann therefore speaks not for himself but for the entire Archdiocese when he urges a decision in a local newspaper today. Time does not stand still. In the meantime, an incendiary letter from the Nuncio in Rome has become available, which describes the Synodal Path dangers in Germany in an unembellished way. The Cardinal's voice is not only needed in Cologne.