Apostolic Administrator who replaced the excellent Archbishop Haas says he will listen to the "reactionary priests" in the Diocese
Bishop Benno Elbs: “So far I have not discovered any construction sites in the Archdiocese of Vaduz.”
After the resignation of Archbishop Wolfgang Haas, Feldkirch Bishop Benno Elbs was appointed Apostolic Administrator. He would have preferred it if a Swiss bishop had taken on this task. Now he wants to build bridges – and create “good coexistence”.
In an earlier interview with kath.ch you said that you could not imagine becoming Archbishop of Vaduz. You have now been appointed Apostolic Administrator by Pope Francis. What do you say to that today?
Bishop Benno Elbs*: At the time, it was beyond my scope of thinking to be assigned there. Pope Francis has now asked me to help during a period of transition. I brought up other options in the conversation.
“There was little reason to say I wouldn’t do it.”
Which?
Elbs: If you are looking for an apostolic administrator, it is obvious that a neighboring diocese would take on this task. My first thought was that a Swiss bishop would take over.
But then you agreed to the new task. Why?
Elbs: First and foremost out of solidarity with Pope Francis. And of course there is a local proximity to Liechtenstein. Many from Feldkirch work in Liechtenstein. There have been few reasons to say I won't do it.
What were the few reasons?
Elbs: Looking after another diocese requires a lot of time. I already have a lot to do with my diocese of Feldkirch and have some larger tasks in the Austrian Bishops' Conference. I am responsible for Caritas there. That's why I initially tried to avert this appointment from myself and to make another bishop happy with it.
How do you want to present yourself as Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Vaduz?
Elbs: I have been to Liechtenstein many times since my appointment. My approach is to meet as many people as possible and have conversations. I want to take people seriously and listen to them.
“I want to build bridges.”
What were the reactions?
Elbs: The encounters were all very friendly. The conversations encouraged me.
Former Archbishop Wolfgang Haas ordained many men as priests who were rejected in other dioceses. They are said to have a reactionary attitude. How will you deal with these?
Elves: I will treat all priests the same way I treat every human being. Namely, respectful and appreciative. I'm trying to build trust. I want to build bridges. From my side, I try to build a bridge to the priests and trust that they will also build a bridge to me.
Will you check the priests more closely?
Elbs: I don't see that as the job of an administrator. But if I hear something, i.e. if someone complains, then I will investigate it. But I don't see myself as a detective.
The priest Thomas Jäger is said to have sexually harassed an altar girl in Ruggell. He was also on trial for possession of child pornography. What do you think?
Elbs: I can't say anything about individuals. In general I can say: All incidents are and were reported in Rome. It is important that such a case is examined by the state.
“I will only spend a few months preparing the transition in the Archdiocese of Vaduz.”
If he is found guilty of “attempted sexual abuse of minors,” will you then seek his laicization in Rome?
Elbs: In general, if someone has become guilty, Rome decides how to proceed.
Even before the publication of the pilot study on sexual abuse in Switzerland, there were voices from Liechtenstein who also called for such an independent study. Will you commission an abuse report for the Archdiocese of Vaduz?
Elbs: That will be the task of the new Archbishop. I will only spend a few months preparing the transition in the Archdiocese of Vaduz.
And will you open the archives to the historians at the University of Zurich?
Elbs: It is a study by the Swiss Bishops' Conference - and Liechtenstein is not one of them.
Archbishop Wolfgang Haas took documents from the secret archives of the Chur diocese to Vaduz in a “cloak and dagger operation,” the scientists write in the pilot study. There are documents in Liechtenstein that are definitely relevant for historians. Will you make these holdings available to researchers?
Elbs: I don't know enough about the situation to answer this question. But I always want to hear both sides. This is the only way to do justice to the seriousness of the topic. But if you need any information, you can contact me. Then I'll see what you can and are allowed to do.
“What worries me is my own time capacity.”
How do you want to strengthen the reform Catholics in the Archdiocese of Vaduz?
Elbs: I talk to everyone. There is already an appointment search with the Liechtenstein reform group Association for an Open Church. It should also be about how cooperation can be strengthened. I see it as my mission to create good coexistence in the Archdiocese of Vaduz.
What worries you about your new tasks and the Archdiocese of Vaduz?
Elbs: What worries me is my own time capacity. Because such a process takes a lot of conversation and time. That was also the greatest internal resistance to taking on this task. But I'll do it as best I can.
Where do you see the largest construction sites in the Archdiocese of Vaduz?
Elbs: I want to meet people in the diocese without prejudice. There are pictures that have been painted about the situation. But I make up my own mind about it. Based on the discussions so far, I can say: So far I haven't discovered any construction sites. But I haven't spoken to everyone yet.
“This is the big reform.”
The church is currently in the synodal process. What reforms can you imagine?
Elbs: Synodal interaction is the church's form of communication. There are two levels: Listening to each other with respect and appreciation. And look together to the Spirit of God and listen to Jesus Christ. If you live this attitude, then you will do what is important to the church in that place. This is the big reform.
And what does that mean specifically?
Elbs: A first concrete step is to build trust in one another. As far as specific reform concerns are concerned, I do not want to give the current synod any advice from afar.
*Bishop Benno Elbs has been Bishop of Feldkirch since 2013. In the Austrian Bishops' Conference he is responsible for Caritas. On September 20, 2023, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Benno Elbs as Apostolic Administrator for the Archdiocese of Vaduz.
.jpeg)
Comments