Monday, May 16, 2016

Pope Francis Accepts Cardinal Lehmann's Resignation


Mainz (kath.net/ KAP)
The resignation of Cardinal Karl Lehmann Bishop of Mainz is completed. In a church service for the 80th birthday of the Cardinal on Whit Monday in the cathedral at Mainz was the ambassador of the Pope in Germany, Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, announced the acceptance of Lehmann's resignation by Pope Francis. Thus the Bishop of Mainz's chair will not be occupied on Tuesday.

At the service, around 1,200 invited guests gathered in the cathedral, including many high-ranking representatives from church, politics and society. In his homily, Lehmann spoke of God's love for all people as the basic message of the Christian faith. This faith which he considered more precious than anything else, he wanted to declare in his life as a priest, bishop and theologian, said the former president of the German episcopate. In his closing remarks, he quoted the Apostle Paul: "Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.  Everything you do should be done in love!"

The service was broadcast live on ARD and could be followed on a large screen in front of the cathedral. Papal Nuncio Eterovic thanked Lehmann on behalf of Francis for the "substantial service," which he had done for the Holy See.

Lehmann was born on 16 May 1936 at the Swabian Sigmaringen and was nearly 33 years at the head of the Diocese of Mainz. From 1987 to 2008 he was President of the German Bishops' Conference. In early 2001, John Paul II made him Cardinal.

With his resignation  the Sedevacant begins for his diocese. It ends with the reoccupation of the diocesan chair. Until then, it could be months, according to experience months.

Copyright 2016 Catholic press agency KATH PRESS, Vienna, Austria (www.kathpress.at) 

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

If Pope Benedict XVI were still in office, I am sure it would be an orthodox priest much better than the radical Lehmann.
With Francis, I am sure it will be more of the same, as Lehmann, or possibly even worse.
I read that this "pope" no longer really listens to suggestions from the Sacred Congregation for Bishops anymore, but rather picks the most progressive person he can find to fill bishops posts.
What a "pope"!
Damian Malliapalli

Anonymous said...

Please stop with the "how much better Benedict would do" schpeel. They are ALL in it together!

N.D. said...

Or it could be that someone is silencing our Holy Father.

Tancred said...

Except for the evidence otherwise. There is a profound difference to the way both handle their personnel decisions. For example, Daneels was sidelined, disgraced, and not being promoted as he is under the current papacy. Just for starters.

Anonymous said...

"Or it could be that someone is silencing our Holy Father."

Despite all that he has said, all he has done in the past 3 years that proves that he is much more a radical than a traditional , orthodox Catholic...or even a faithful one...I admire your trust in Pope Francis (if that's who you mean by :our Holy Father".)
I think it's noble to address him with that title, even though he doesn't really deserve it. When I picture "Our Holy Father"...immediately the great Popes of the 20th century come to mind , and all the way to 2013.
But I think it's more than alittle naïve to think that Francis himself is not making these horrendous radical progressive appointments.
And yes, Benedict XVI chose his supporters too for posts...but like him, they were usually (I didnlt say always), improvements over their predecessors..and were good,holy, and traditional leaning men (if not actually openly traditional. They were in line with Church tradition and teachings.
Francis and his men are not. Just read some sermons and comments from the new Archbishop of Brussels,Belgium if you are not convinced. It'll be an eye opener. It's the kind of stuff the late, ungreat USA priest/theologian Richard McBrien and other used to support.
Damian Malliapalli

Vincent said...

Quod recipitur, recipitur per modum recipientis et quad erat demonstrandum, demonstrandum est.

Anonymous said...

Then it is simply a matter of degree. I think that Benedict was replaced because he was just taking too long to get the Vatican II team across the finish line before the devil's time is up. Francis and his friends know that their time is short and, so, must hurry the agenda along. They went to the bullpen for the 'closer' - Francis (The Bully) Bergolio.

Anonymous said...

N.D. Whaaat?

Anonymous said...

Sed veritas semper una est.

susan said...

vincenzo asinus.

Tancred said...

Benedict was slowly demoting or resigning problem prelates and promoting fairly decent ones to replace them.

Tancred said...

I must have deleted one hundred of his posts.

Vincent said...

Another indication of your fear of anything which might challenge the pathetic clutch of your self-referential certitudes.

Tancred said...

I just like to keep the vermin out. At some point, I guess I'll have to get some kind of roach bomb option and simply moderate all the comments like they had to do at Katholisches because of your kind.

Siggy said...
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Siggy said...
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