Divisive Dicastery for Religious Life celebrates election of Pope Leo by targeting traditional religious life. Feminist nuns taking posthumous revenge on Pope Benedict.
Heiligenkreuz, the first target of the new team leading the Dicastery for Consecrated Life
Silere non possum issues a clear warning: the ban on traditional monasteries has begun. In a recent publication, the outlet reveals that the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life has ordered an apostolic visit to the historic Cistercian abbey of Heiligenkreuz, in Austria, one of the most flourishing monastic communities in Europe.
The decision bears the signature of the new team leading the Dicastery: Sister Simona Brambilla, appointed Prefect in January, and Sister Tiziana Merletti, Secretary since May. Both nuns, raised in a clearly progressive ideological climate, seem willing to act firmly against those communities that do not conform to their understanding of religious life.
Thriving Traditional Monasteries in the Spotlight
Heiligenkreuz, an abbey that combines fidelity to tradition, rich liturgy, and vibrant community life, has achieved something that many others have not: attracting numerous vocations. And this is not an isolated case. Within various monastic orders, a growing trend is observed: many abbeys, enjoying the legal autonomy granted by Canon Law, are choosing to live their charism more faithfully to their founding rules, that is, with a more traditional interpretation. This renewed fervor not only attracts vocations, but, in many cases, revitalizes the spiritual life of their communities.
But this success seems to have aroused suspicion in ecclesiastical sectors unwilling to allow alternative models to the still dominant progressivism. This Apostolic Visit does not appear to respond to real internal problems, but rather to an action motivated by ideological criteria and internal pressures within the Cistercian order itself, led by Abbot General Mauro Giuseppe Lepori.
A strategy of attrition against what works
Lepori, identified with a line more suited to modern times and close to the Communion and Liberation movement, reportedly targeted Heiligenkreuz and other similar abbeys for not following his guidelines. Far from the neutrality that should characterize his role, he has promoted a process of oversight that, rather than seeking the good of the communities, seems aimed at punishing their success.
Behind many of these apostolic visits, there is little more than rumours, unfounded criticism, or anonymous reports. The formula is simple: when a traditional community grows, someone—whether out of ideology or personal jealousy—makes more or less veiled accusations. That's enough to open a process that could end in external intervention or even the dismissal of the legitimately elected abbot.
What's happening in Heiligenkreuz is a symptom of something broader: a climate of institutional hostility toward traditional forms of religious life, especially when they flourish. And the Apostolic Visitation is not an exception, but rather a visible first step in a policy that could intensify in the coming months.
If the flourishing of monasteries faithful to the Rule and tradition is punished, what kind of renewal is intended for consecrated life? The question remains open, while in Austria a prayerful community awaits the arrival of the inspectors sent from Rome.
Abbot Gregor Henckel-Donnersmarck
He decided to give up his life as a business manager and on November 15, 1977, he became a novice at the Heiligenkreuz Abbey together with Christian Feurstein, where he took the religious name Gregor. After studying (1978–1986) at the Philosophical and Theological College of Heiligenkreuz, he became a Master of Theology, and on August 1, 1982, he was ordained a priest in the abbey church by Bishop Maximilian Aichern of Linz. From 1986 to 1991 he was prior at the Cistercian Abbey of Rein near Graz, from 1992 and 1993 he was assistant to the Abbot General of the Cistercians in Rome, and from 1994 to 1999 he was national director of Missio, the Pontifical Mission Societies in Austria. On February 11, 1999, the convent elected him the 67th Abbot of the Heiligenkreuz Abbey. As such, he served as Magnus Cancellarius (Grand Chancellor) of the Benedict XVI Philosophical and Theological College from 2007 onwards. His abbot's blessing took place on March 14, 1999, by Abbot General Maurus Esteva Alsina. From 2003 to 2007, he was Abbot President of the Austrian Cistercian Congregation.
During Henckel-Donnersmarck's term of office, Pope Benedict XVI visited Heiligenkreuz on September 9, 2007, honoring the monastery and college as part of his state and pilgrimage visit to Austria. Previously, the Pope had elevated the college to a university of pontifical right on January 28, 2007, and on March 3, 2007, granted Henckel-Donnersmarck the right to wear a violet pileolus, in reference to his office as Grand Chancellor of the college ad personam.
In February 2011, he resigned from his position as abbot of Heiligenkreuz because, due to his age, he was no longer able to serve a full term.
Extracted from Wikipedia
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Comments
I personally know many of the SSVM sisters and I can tell you that they are without exception a joyful and hopeful bunch. And I know a few of the ordained men. Undoubtedly, Pope Leo crossed paths with some of the order from his time in Peru, as that country was one of the first outposts of the order outside Argentina.
I have read, and have gotten confirmation from a canon lawyer, that an order that follows its constitution has (in theory) nothing to worry about. My sources tell me no failure to observe the constitution is a basis for the Discastery’s negative comments and already meted-out disciplinary action. If that maintains, the SSVM and the men of the IVE should weather all this persecution from people associated with dying orders.
I try to pray every day for the order’s vocations.