Apostolic Investigation into Bishop Huonder demanded

Vitus Huonder sharply criticises the Pope - Vatican must intervene

The Bishop Emeritus of Chur, Vitus Huonder, sharply criticises the Pope - and accuses him of a "pontificate of rupture". In doing so, he crosses a line. It is now time for an Apostolic Inquiry, writes Charles Martig in his commentary on the Huonder case.

With their backs to the people, Latin prayers and lots of glamour. That's how the followers of the Tridentine Mass love it. They defend their ancient rite - and criticise Pope Francis for his letter "Traditionis custodes" published in July 2021. In it, he significantly restricted the options for celebrating Mass in the ancient rite.

50 years as a priest: former bishop Vitus Huonder celebrates with the Society of Saint Pius X.

Now Vitus Huonder, Bishop Emeritus of Chur, is making serious accusations against the Pope. "In 2013, Pope Francis took over the leadership of the universal Church. We can call his pontificate, as it has emerged so far, a pontificate of rupture. It is a break with tradition. This can be justified by the fact that he himself has time and again reprimanded tradition and the faithful who adhere to tradition."

In his video statement, Huonder accuses Pope Francis of wanting to eradicate the "Roman liturgy", i.e. the old Rite of Mass in Latin.

The opposition to Pope Francis is now being openly aired in the media public. Since he has clearly spoken out against the old rite of Mass and tightened up the rules, the traditionalists have been up in arms. A limit has been reached. The Vatican should now intervene.

Defection to the Society of Saint Pius X.

It is a scandal that a former Bishop of Switzerland should leave the Roman Catholic Church and defect to the Society of Saint Pius X. This Fraternity, which goes by the abbreviation of SSPX, is outside the Church. Huonder is now playing the border crosser. He is trying to throw his weight around as Bishop Emeritus of Chur. The title of the video is: "The open wound. With Bishop Vitus Huonder". The Vatican should put a stop to that.

 

Rather than attack the Bishop, listen to his arguments

Surrounded by boys

The damage Huonder has done to the Swiss Church is already great enough. The fact that since his retirement as Bishop of Chur in 2019 he has been living in a boys' institute run by the Society of Saint Pius X in Wangs St. Gallen and now only appears in public at festivities organised by the ociety of Saint Pius X speaks volumes. With his video he now definitely outed himself as a follower of the Society of Saint Pius X.

(Cathcon: cheap slurs, I think we are meant to read between the lines)

The Papal Nuncio Martin Krebs

Who could put an end to this scandal? Nuncio Martin Krebs. He is currently intensively dealing with the succession in the archdiocese of Vaduz. The succession of Wolfgang Haas must be settled - here, too, a problematic bishop is acting. At the same time, the procedure for electing a bishop in St. Gallen is pending. And in Chur, too, Bishop Joseph Bonnemain will reach the age of 75 in July 2023, when he will have to offer his resignation. That is a lot of work for Nuncio Martin Krebs. Will he also want to deal with the traditionalist troublemaker, Vitus Huonder?

Apostolic investigation is necessary

The only viable way is an Apostolic Investigation. Here, Nuncio Martin Krebs plays a central role. Instead of accusing popular pastors with integrity of "liturgical abuse" and having them investigated by the Vatican authorities, the traditionalists should be put on the Church's radar. For they pose a danger. They cause unrest - and divide the Church.

(Cathcon:  What could be more divisive than Synodalism and the Papal actions against the Latin but no, in the diminishing little world these modernists live in, complete with its own sets of rules and conformities, it is the traditionalists' fault.   Victim blaming, they made me do it, the excuse of the abuser through the ages.)

A clear signal is needed now. As long as the Vatican allows Vitus Huonder to function under the title of Bishop Emeritus of Chur, the Church authorities will remain untrustworthy. Effective sanctions are needed now.

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