Theologian wants to be a law unto himself, wants to teach but refuses to be taught by the Church

Theologian Lintner thanks for solidarity and hopes for changes in Curia

First public statement after Vatican refusal of nihil obstat on Lintner's election as dean of the university in Bressanone - moral theologian locates "institutional problem" - demand for transparent and fair procedure

What will moral theologians do when there is no more morality, because they have destroyed it.

The Bressanone moral theologian Martin Lintner has for the first time made a public statement on his case. In a statement published on the website of the Philosophical-Theological University of Bressanone on Monday, Lintner expresses his gratitude for the numerous expressions of solidarity he has received because of the Vatican's refusal of the nihil obstat on his election as dean. At the same time, the theologian does not see an individual case, but rather an institutional problem. The goal must be "to revise the procedures and to conduct proceedings transparently and fairly". Regarding his own case, Lintner states that he expressly renounces an appeal against the Vatican decision.

With the public statement, which he had agreed with Diocesan Bishop Ivo Muser, he wanted to respond to the "enormous reaction", the countless messages and expressions of solidarity as well as the numerous media enquiries far beyond Italy, all of which he could not answer personally, Lintner explained. "To experience this appreciation, closeness and encouragement is overwhelming and fills me with humility. They do me good on a human level, since the Vatican decision also surprised and affected me," the theologian and religious priest wrote.

Lintner continues: "The encouragement from the most diverse camps confirms me in my efforts as a theologian to also fulfil a bridging function between Church and society and to pursue a theology that is relevant to life and sensitive to suffering, which is significant for people in their concrete life situations and challenges." Against this background, the Vatican decision "has not only caused incomprehension but also serious irritation among many believers. It raises doubts about the success of Synodality." It therefore pains him, said Lintner, "to see how a critical to negative attitude towards the Church is reinforced in other people. Those who know me are aware of my sense of belonging to the Church and my constructive-critical loyalty to the Church's teaching authority."

Lintner expressly thanked Bishop Muser, with whom he was "in good exchange". The bishop "has complied with my explicit request not to file an appeal against the Vatican decision. It is my concern not to expose either my university or myself to a potentially lengthy and nerve-racking procedure," the theologian explains.

"The sometimes fierce and emotional reactions on the part of the theological associations are," says Lintner, "an expression of the justified concern about the credibility of theology as a science in the context of universities as well as secular society." They are also a sign of the "anger and powerlessness of very many colleagues" who have been confronted with similar problems and obstacles in the course of their academic work. "These problems have been an open secret for decades and mean a burden for those affected, combined with a feeling of humiliation, with emotional injuries to the point that professional careers have been permanently damaged," Lintner emphasises.

As president of the European Society for Catholic Theology and the International Network of Societies for Catholic Theology, he "got to know many such fates", Lintner continues. "That made me realise that this is not just individual cases, but an institutional problem." In formal and informal discussions with officials and staff of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Congregation for Education, he said, he had made himself the mouthpiece for these colleagues and raised these problems. "In doing so, I had the impression that on the part of the Congregations - now dicasteries - there is an awareness of the problem and that the need to revise procedures and conduct proceedings transparently and fairly has been recognised."

In his own case, he said, it is to be wished and hoped "that my case will contribute to building a constructive relationship of trust and dialogue between the Magisterium and academic theology, between the dicasteries and the theological associations, faculties and universities." Lintner concluded, "I am convinced that this is in line with the spirit of synodality towards which Pope Francis wants to lead the Church."

Last Tuesday, the Philosophical-Theological University of Bressanone (PTH Brixen) had announced that the election for dean would have to be repeated because Lintner, who had already been elected to the post, had not received the necessary approval from the Vatican. The reason given by the competent dicastery for culture and education was Lintner's publications on questions of Catholic sexual morality. However, his authorisation to teach as a moral theologian was not affected by the refusal of the Roman "Nihil obstat", it was further stated. Subsequently, there were numerous reactions and expressions of solidarity from Italy, the entire German-speaking area and beyond.

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