Cardinal says Pope can change Catechism at doctrinal whim

Cardinal Schönborn: Changing the catechism is a matter for the Pope

What about a change in the official church teaching on homosexuality? According to Viennese Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, this is solely a matter for the Pope. The Catechism had already been changed once under Francis.

According to Vienna Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, changing the official church teaching on homosexuality is solely a matter for the Pope. In response to a question in front of journalists in the Vatican on Monday, Schönborn said that so far there had only been one change to the valid catechism from 1992. In 2018, Pope Francis added the ban on the death penalty to the Catholic Church's textbook. Whether there will be further changes depends solely on the Pope, who proclaims the catechism and puts it into effect, said the Cardinal, who was involved in the formulation of the current catechism more than 30 years ago.

On the subject of homosexuality and sin, Schönborn pointed out that Francis often speaks about the question of the guilt of the individual. There is a gap between the given objective order and the subjective level of the individual person, who is always sinful. The Church must respect and support every person with their limitations and their history. At the World Synod meeting in the Vatican, there was repeated discussion about how the Catholic Church should deal with people who live in same-sex relationships in the future. Several Synods had called for a change on this point. When asked what role theology and the thinking of believers play in the development of church teaching, Schönborn emphasized that the Church's teaching is unchangeable. But there is a development and deepening in the understanding and presentation of faith.

Cathcon:  Not actually what is going to happen if the reports of the proceedings are to be believed.

Praise for the way the Synod works

Schönborn also praised the way the World Synod works. The method of synodality is “clearly correct and necessary,” said the archbishop. At the meeting, listening is the top priority; It is also about making a common distinction. This approach changes the situation profoundly. Schönborn continued that he recently spoke to the US economist and political advisor Jeffrey Sachs about the Synod. He said that the World Security Council should also work in the manner of synodality; then perhaps there would be a little more peace in the world. Schönborn criticized that no one on the Security Council was really listening. Representatives there present the guidelines of their governments without actually communicating with each other.

The 78-year-old Schönborn has already taken part in eight Synods of Bishops. At the current World Synod in the Vatican, he is a voting member of the Synod Council, a type of council of elders. The working method of this meeting was the best he had ever experienced, said the cardinal. For him, synodality is the way to live community; “The church is community,” said Schönborn. He recalled the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) and the document "Lumen Gentium" about a new self-image of the Church as a community of believers. At the end of Vatican II, Schönborn reported, he was a 20-year-old theology student. The theologian Karl Rahner (1904-1984) said at the time that the entire council would be in vain if it did not result in more faith, hope and mercy. “I would say the same for this Synod,” said Schönborn.

Schönborn also wanted more visible cooperation between the bishops at the European level. The Council of European Bishops' Conferences CCEE has not managed to develop the same potential as the continental bishops' councils in Asia or Latin America, said the cardinal. "We have fallen a bit behind in the lived Synodality between the local churches in Europe. I think we need a stimulus to go even further." For example, the bishops' conferences in Europe have not yet managed to formulate a common word on the drama of migration and flight, criticized Schönborn. That is sad, especially since politicians are unable to come up with a common statement.

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