Retired Euro-politician wants to politicise the Church using the Synodal Process
Pühringer: Religious groundwater level still there in Austria
Former Upper Austrian governor and now Linz "Pro Oriente" chairman Pühringer in Volksblatt guest commentary on necessary reforms in the church: "Above all, more mercy in the church - towards all people".
Josef Pühringer, former governor of Upper Austria and now chairman of the "Pro Oriente" section in Linz, has called for far-reaching reform measures in the Catholic Church. In a guest commentary in the Upper Austrian "Volksblatt" (Monday edition), Pühringer expressed confidence that reforms - albeit lengthy - are possible after all. In addition, he found that there was still a "religious groundwater level" in Austria, even if it had noticeably sunk; but the sources of religiousness had not completely dried up. "The longing for the spiritual, for what is above us, what transcends our thinking, is often visible," says Pühringer. But the offers of the Church do not always seem to fit.
It is essential in the reform process "that the lost trust and credibility are regained". This process is laborious, exhausting and, unfortunately, real results can only be achieved in the long term. That is why the famous staying power and perseverance are needed.
At the same time, Pühringer does not like the call for a "small herd". It is a temptation to withdraw into a group of like-minded people. But Christianity was and is not designed for withdrawal. The biblical talk of "salt of the earth" and "light of the world" speak just as clearly as the Pentecost event, in which the Holy Spirit caused the withdrawn disciples to take courage and dare to go out in public.
"Genuine interest in people"
Pühringer referred to Pope Francis, who named decisive points for the necessary changes: "Above all, more mercy in the Church - towards all people! Sinners also deserve mercy. (...) Listening, sharing. More mutual listening, sympathy, personal encounter, genuine interest of the Church in the needs and concerns of people, not overlooking people on the margins."
Pope Francis, he said, has a high sensitivity to wounds in people's lives, in the world community and in nature. "These needs must be at the forefront of the necessary reform course," Pühringer expressed his conviction. This is a decisive shift in emphasis "from moralising to healing, from law to individual fate, from exclusion to inclusion", Pühringer recalled a finding by pastoral theologian Paul Zulehner. The necessary change, however, cannot be exhausted in superficial, institutional changes. A deepening of spirituality and faith is crucial.
More decentralisation necessary
In his opinion, Pühringer also named some concrete changes that were necessary. For one, a regionalisation of the Church, without violating the essential unity in the necessary things. Pühringer: "The synodal process must lead to more decentralisation, to more autonomy of the national churches." In addition, the reform process should allow for different speeds and different emphases that will not endanger unity in faith. Subsidiarity must finally be taken seriously within the church.
Decentralisation and synodality could thus become successful twins, with the result: "Listening more to people's concerns, reorganising the flow of information from the bottom up and deciding at the top only what is necessary for unity."
In addition, the Church is valued in those areas where it is committed to the people: in the social sector, in education, in pastoral care offers, especially in borderline situations of life, but also in pastoral care for children and the elderly. The religious orders with their diverse offers must also be taken into consideration. "The light is often put under a bushel. It is precisely the Church that does, that acts, that mostly helps, that can contribute greatly to regaining credibility," Pühringer warned.
Cathcon: Pühringer and his kind will want financial support for the enormous contribution that they are making to ecclesiastical life. He started his career as a religious studies teacher and to that he is now returning.
I had quite a bit to do with him in Euro-politics. One of the more self-seeking that I met in Brussels where there is some competition in this matter - cannot say that I was impressed. Europe talks a lot about subsidiarity (taking decisions at the lowest level possible) but never does anything about it, because it would destroy the project. Likewise, decentralisation would destroy the Catholic Church because the Synodal process is no longer talking about administration but doctrinal matters and Catholic Truth is not divisible.
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