Contested inheritance of Cardinal Alfrink. Finally, some proper questioning of the post-Conciliar world in the wider Church.

He led the most important Diocese in the Netherlands, was a central figure at the Second Vatican Council—but possibly also a pioneer of the secularization of his homeland: Cardinal Bernard Jan Alfrink. He was born 125 years ago.

"To this day, there has been no more progressive cardinal in Europe," wrote Der Spiegel in his obituary. Bernard Jan Alfrink, a participant in the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) and Archbishop of Utrecht. He led the most important Diocese in the Netherlands from 1955 to 1975. He was born 125 years ago, on July 5, 1900, in Nijkerk.

A Cardinal as a projection screen

Opinions about Alfrink are still divided today. Some see him as the gravedigger of the Catholic Church in the Netherlands, others as a champion of necessary reforms in the wake of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). Like few others, he is a projection screen for the ideals and illusions of those who demonize him or place him on a pedestal.

"To date, there has been no more progressive Cardinal in Europe." — Quote: From the "Spiegel" obituary for Cardinal Alfrink

No, obedience was probably not his thing. Even as a young priest, Alfrink came into conflict with the Church's teaching authority with his first attempt at a dissertation. His extraordinary academic talent, however, was undisputed, and so he taught as a professor of Old Testament exegesis in Rijsenburg and Nijmegen between 1933 and 1951—until Pope Pius XII unexpectedly appointed him Coadjutor Archbishop of Utrecht. After the death of incumbent Johannes de Jong in 1955, Alfrink rose to the rank of archbishop, thus becoming the highest-ranking bishop in the Netherlands.

His theological reputation also recommended him for the Council's Preparatory Commission, to which he was appointed by Pope John XXIII after his elevation to cardinal in 1960. At the Council itself, as a member of the Presidium, he took a position on all important issues. His name is mentioned in the same breath as the other Western figures of the reform-minded Council majority: Suenens, Lienart, Frings, and Döpfner. His most important advisor was the Belgian Dominican and maverick Edward Schillebeeckx (1914-2009). Nevertheless, Alfrink's statements were more moderate than radical in the spirit of the reform wing.

The conservative spokesman was cut off

Historian Roberto de Mattei cites an anecdote according to which Alfrink cut off Cardinal Alfredo Ottaviani, then Prefect of the Holy Office and spokesman for the conservatives, during the debate. With a passionate plea against changes in the liturgy, Ottaviani significantly exceeded his ten-minute speaking time. Council President Alfrink then rang a bell – and then had the microphone turned off for the most powerful man in the Vatican.

One of Alfrink's unshakeable convictions was the image of a more collegial, less centralized Church. In this respect, he promoted and welcomed the post-conciliar push toward democratization in the Dutch Church – which, however, soon turned into open rebellion against Rome. The so-called Dutch Catechism of 1966, approved by Alfrink, already contained various doctrines that set off alarm bells in the Vatican.

The Dutch Pastoral Council (1966-1970) went even further, a kind of Western cultural revolution that, among other things, called for the liberalisation of priestly celibacy and the pill. Paul VI had asked Alfrink, even before the vote, to read a Roman doctrinal document and thus set the Vatican line. But the head of the Bishops' Conference wanted to leave the decision to the church assembly itself – and remained silent.

Intra-church rebellion stifled

It is pointless to discuss the extent to which he actually still held the reins of power at this time. The fact is that the Vatican promptly accepted his offer of resignation on his 75th birthday, as required by canon law—due to health reasons, as it was reported. In his final years, the ailing Alfrink had to watch as the country's important bishoprics were filled with conservative candidates, thus stifling or suppressing the internal church rebellion. However, Pope John Paul II insisted on personally visiting the elderly cardinal during his trip to the Netherlands in 1984.

The profound secularization of the Netherlands is beyond question. Whether this occurred despite or because of the exuberant reform efforts of the time is subject to further speculation.

Source