Sunday, April 28, 2019

Archbishop Gänswein Defends Benedict’s Criticism of Modern Civilization at Ordination for Four New Priests at Heiligenkreuz

Private Secretary of Benedict XVI. at the ordination of a priest in Heiligenkreuz Abbey: "Anyone who would like to invent a new Church, who wants to tinker with his DNA, is on the wrong track and misuses his spiritual authority".

Vienna (kath.net/KAP) A visit from a very important person to a high feast day in the Cistercian Monastery of Heiligenkreuz: Curial Archbishop Georg Gänswein ordained four men on Saturday afternoon - Fr. Isaak Käfferlein, Fr. Georg Winter, Fr. Aelred Davies from Heiligenkreuz Monastery and Fr. Fabian Eibl from the parish parish house in Paring, Germany St. Michael - in the abbey church. The four had already been consecrated as deacons last August. With currently 314 students, the Hochschule Heiligenkreuz is one of the largest priestly training centers in Europe.

In his sermon, Gänswein compared the priestly ministry with that of a sailor on a lighthouse capable of positively influencing people's course and protecting them from danger. At the same time, the private secretary of the emeritus Pope Benedict XVI., encouraged them not to succumb to the temptation to proclaim  "self-driven theories" instead of the Gospel: "If priests and bishops no longer have the courage to preach the Gospel, but their own wisdom, there is evil and headlines - and haven’t we had it more than enough in the recent times?” asked Gänswein. And he warned, "Whoever wants to invent a new Church, whoever wants to tinker around with his DNA, is on the wrong track and abuses his spiritual authority.”

The background of these discussions should also be a controversial text Benedict XVI. in which the emeritus Pope had last presented a personal record and analysis of the abuse scandal and its consequences for the Church. As a central cause of abuse, Benedict mentions a demolition of faith in Western societies since the 1960s and a departure from Catholic moral teaching. This had also had a profound impact on priests and priestly education. A way out in the current crisis situation would not be accomplished with the change of the Church, but in the conversion of each individual to a deeper faith, says Benedict XVI. in his text.

Many theologians had then spoken with some sharp criticism of the text. Benedict XVI has received support, however, e.g.  from the abbey of Heiligenkreuz: This was emphasized by Abbot Maximilian Heim and the rector of the Benedict XVI Philosophical Theological College named after the emeritus Pope. Heiligenkreuz, P. Wolfgang Buchmüller, in a congratulatory letter to Benedict, published on the website of the convent, said that they were "full of admiration for your accurate and timely analysis" on the subject of abuse and that Benedict's statements "lead the way out of the crisis... We only hope that these words will be heard.”

University festival on April 30 and monastery market

Also in the next few days, the party atmosphere at the Heiligenkreuz Abbey continues: on April 30, University Rector Buchmüller, Abbot Heim and students of the university invite you to a Thanksgiving and Sponsorship Party and an "open day" with guided tours and presentations (start: 15:00). At 18:00 vespers will take place in the abbey church. The closing of the event at 19:00 is a ceremony with the honoring of supporters of the university and the appearance of the well-known band "Cardiac Move". [Cringe]

As part of the Thanksgiving and Sponsorship Party, the music prize "Vocation Music Award" will be officially presented, this year for the first time honoring musicians who deal with the theme of vocation in their songs. Until June 30th, songs can still be submitted at www.vocation-music-award.at. The winners will be announced on 23rd August at a final show at the "Key2Life" festival.

Finally, the traditional Heiligenkreuzer Klostermarkt [Monastery Market] will take place on Wednesday, May 1. More than 40 monasteries from Austria and neighboring countries will be offering craft products and culinary delights from 09:00 to 18:00. The visitors of the Klostermarkt are also invited to guided tours and at 12:00  and 18:00 to participate in the Latin choral prayer of the monks in the abbey church. (Information: www.stift-heiligenkreuz.org)

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMDG

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