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Benedict XVI wants obedience by Austrian priests. But is obedience still a virtue?

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IMWAC Press Release - Apr 8, 2012

The homily delivered by Benedict XVI on April 5, in the traditional Chrism Mass of Holy Thursday, was particularly important. It seems necessary to express some critical reflections on it.


The Pope spoke indirectly of the text of the June 19, 2011, signed to date by about 400 Austrian priests, known as the Pfarrer-Initiative. It has been followed by other important appeals in northern Europe of similar content. These priests say they are obliged to follow, especially in relation to the shortage of clergy, "their conscience" and to "take action independently" as regards the organization of their ministry. They include active participation by the Laity and pose questions about opening up the Eucharist to the divorced and remarried, and the ordination of women and married people. But Benedict XVI, like Pope Wojtyla, will not discuss the matter, never. Ever since the international movement "We Are Church", born in Austria seventeen years ago, first raised these issues, there has been no rapport, no dialogue with the Vatican. The Archbishop of Vienna, Cardinal Schönborn, seems to have tried but was unable to carry the debate to Rome. In his homily Benedict XVI has addressed these issues only in terms of due obedience to the Magisterium. But is obedience still a virtue? The Pope touched, in particular, on the issue of the ordination of women, repeating the line taken by Pope Wojtyla. It is not available for discussion. But, within the Church, many argue that there are no truly valid theological objections against going in this direction, and this opinion is spreading.

 

Read more: Benedict XVI wants obedience by Austrian priests. But is obedience still a virtue?

IMWAC – 15th Anniversary

IMWAC – 15th Anniversary

A press release from WAC Austria

15 years ago, on November 25 1996, groups of “We are Church” from Austria, Germany, Italy, South-Tyrol and France came together in Rome and founded the “International Movement We Are Church” (IMWAC). At that time they represented only a few countries in Western Europe. Today IMWAC is a world-wide organisation. There are active groups in more than 25 countries, in Europe, South- and North-America, Africa, Australia and Asia, and in addition there is a wide-spread church reform network including persons in more than 50 countries.

 

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Joseph Ratzinger - 30 years in Rome

A press release by We are Church - Germany on the 30th anniversary of the appointment of Joseph Ratzinger as the Prefect of the Roman Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith.

"We are Church Germany" on the visit of Pope Benedict

We are Church: First Stocktake on the visit to Germany by Pope Benedict XVI

- Call for Ecumenism: „Do what unites us!“
- Pre-modern core of speech to the Bundestag
- Talking about God must not become a distraction


Press Release Berlin / Erfurt / Freiburg / Munich, 25 September 2011

At the end of the visit to Germany by Pope Benedict XVI, the Church People’s Movement We are Church (Wir sind Kirche) is appealing to all Christians to continue decisively along the road of dialogue and to meet the challenges of the times together in Christian hope. The motto “A daring new departure“ of the Catholic Conference in Mannheim next year should be a guideline in view of the current church and social crises, which can only be overcome together.

Read more: "We are Church Germany" on the visit of Pope Benedict

From my taxes, to the Pope, zero!

DECLARATION WITH RESPECT TO THE VISIT OF THE POPE TO THE "WORLD CATHOLIC YOUTH DAY" IN MADRID (AUGUST 2011)

Only a few months after his visits to Santiago de Compostela & Barcelona, Mr Ratzinger - Benedict XVI for Catholics - bent on his idea to "reconquer" a country which he sees is moving away from his moral and religious proposals, is coming back to Madrid.

From a secularist and democratic point of view, there can be no objection for a meeting of a spiritual pastor with his followers.  It is evident, however, that in spite of the calculated ambiguity of the event, the "World Youth Day" of this august in Madrid has the objective of congregating thousands of young Catholics around the Pope's teaching.  This act, whatever its size, can only be seen as having a private character since the beliefs and declarations are private.

However, what is contrary to a democratic State which declares itself as non-confessional is to mix the affairs of the state with religious matters, the general interests with private interests, the institutions which represent all the citizens with events which only concern some, in this case, those who share certain religious convictions.

 

Read more: From my taxes, to the Pope, zero!