Modernists rise up in defence of moral theologian

Lack of understanding in favour of the moral theologian

The protests against the Vatican veto in Brixen are spreading. The Vatican education authority does not recognise the election of moral theologian Martin Lintner as Dean of his university because of his publications on sexual ethics.

The Blofield among theologians

The International Association for Moral Theology and Social Ethics, the Working Group on Moral Theology and the Working Group on Christian Social Ethics jointly declared on Wednesday that this decision of the Vatican authority was not professionally comprehensible.

They see such disciplinary action as a demonstration of power by the Curia and an attempt at intimidation. Apparently, Rome wants to "lead theological research and teaching on the leash of discipline", the scientists said. This makes calls for dialogue untrustworthy.

Lintner unquestionably has "merits as a mediator between scientific discourse, concrete life experiences and social debates, between theology and church doctrine, tradition and necessary innovation", they continue. This also applies to his contributions to a Catholic ethics of relationships, which start with the experiences of today's people and support a responsible shaping of relationships.

The theologians criticise that the Vatican authority's action disregards the freedom of science and once again massively damages the reputation of theology in the sciences as a whole.

Authorisation to teach not affected

On Monday, the Philosophical-Theological University (PTH) of Bressanone had announced that the responsible Vatican educational authority did not approve Lintner's election as dean. Lintner's ecclesiastical authorisation to teach was not affected. The theologian himself, as well as local bishop Ivo Muser, who is also the university's grand chancellor, waived formal objection to the Vatican decision. Until a new election is held, the current dean Alexander Notdurfter will now remain in office.

Born in 1972, Lintner has been a full professor of moral theology at Brixen since 2011. From 2011 to 2015 he was Vice-President and President of the European Society for Catholic Theology and from 2017 to 2021 President of the International Association for Moral Theology and Social Ethics. Lintner is a priest and member of the Servite Order.

Solidarity with Lintner

Already on Monday evening, the German Catholic Theological Faculty Day had expressed solidarity with Lintner. He is highly respected and appreciated among his colleagues and an important voice in the professional and public discourse. In his publications on the ethics of relationships, he tries to "develop sexual morality theologically and ethically in such a way that it can be a positive, realistic and fruitful contribution for the people of this time". These positions were not marginal, but consensus.

The Faculty Conference assessed the veto from Rome as an expression of mistrust and control. "The largely non-transparent Nihil-Obstat procedure contradicts the Synodal spirit invoked by Pope Francis," the body said. It runs counter to academic freedom and undermines the self-government of Catholic faculties and ecclesiastical universities.

Cathcon: Tells you all you need to know about Synodality.

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