"Mercy Can Never be a Dispensation From the Commandments of God" -- Interview Book With Prefect Cardinal Müller

(Rome) "The doctrine of the Church does not change."   The debut of a new book has been announced with this sentence. While the world waits for the post-synodal letter of Pope Francis on the Double Family Synod, the interview book "Report on the Hope" by Cardinal Gerhard Müller, Prefect of the Congregation, is ready for publication. Mercy never means that the commandments of God would no longer be valid. Therefore, the rules can not be "overcome by life", in contrast to what the new Archbishop of Berlin, Heiner Koch, said just before the Synod of Bishops in October 2015 to the press.

The Spanish priest, Carlos Granados had a long conversation with Cardinal Muller that is appearing in book form. The Spanish title is "Informe sobre la esperanza."  Granados is Director General of the Library of Christian Authors .On March 19, the third anniversary of his inauguration,  Pope Francis signed the post-synodal letter about marriage and the family, to be published in April.

Founded in 1944 Biblioteca de Autores Cristianos (BAC) publishes the works of classical Catholic authors. The location of the collection is the Pontifical University of Salamanca. During the reign of General Franco, the library was declared a national interest and facilitates the publication of the works by government grants.

The first volume of the library was the Spanish Bible translation of Nacar and Colunga, published in 1944, considered the most common Bible translation in the Spanish-speaking world today.

Communion for divorced and remarried contradicts the divine law of the indissolubility of marriage

Carlos Granados passes Benedict XVI. a volume of the Spanish edition of his collected works

Some excerpts were published in advance in the Spanish right to life magazine, Actuall.  A major concern is the question of the admission of divorcees who were ecclesiastically married, but civilly remarried. Cardinal Müller affirms in the book that there can be no Communion. It is "impossible" to grant those Communion who live outside their valid marriage in another relationship. "The nature of the divine right of the indissolubility of marriage" made ​​it impossible, says the Cardinal.

The Prefect has now also put in writing, which  the majority of these at the Family Synod insisted upon, that the Communion of these persons is not possible.

"Mercy is never a dispensation from the Commandments of God or a justification for them to be overriden or set aside: 'Go and sin no more,' says Jesus to the adulterous woman, after he had treated her with great compassion."

Upon this example of Jesus implored shepherds, priests and bishops  to align and "to make an effort to include the divorced and remarried with tact and warmth, to accompany them and to involve them in the normal life the Church."

The biggest scandal of the Church would be, "not to mention the difference between good and evil by name"

Whoever pleads contrary, that the position of the Church on sexual morality is not realistic, Cardinal Müller answers:

"The biggest scandal  that  the Church can cause is not that she has sinners, but ceasing in calling the difference between good and evil by name, and to relativize it; ceasing to explain what is sin or trying to justify  what is supposedly a greater closeness and mercy towards the sinner."

On the  sacrament of marriage the Prefect says a marriage "may fail by no longer living together, or in   human expectations, but not the action of God, which is why the Sacrament does not fail as such."

The marriage is  "not an ideal, not a reflection of my desires, like a child who would like to be an astronaut ... ideals are often not realizable". The marriage is, however, "a God-given reality: the sanctification of the spouses and of life."

Gender ideology is man's attempt to put himself in the place of God

Cardinal Müller also takes a position on gender theory and repeats an effective statement of Pope Francis, with which he effectively summed it up when he spoke of "ideological colonization":

"Can we build a society without respecting the difference between man and woman?" asks the Cardinal. God wanted man as Adam and Eve, said Cardinal Müller, in gender ideology, man raises himself to God and determines for himself what and what is evil good.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image. Youtube / Religionenlibertad (screenshots)

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

Link to Katholisches...

 Order the book on amazon, here.

AMDG

Italy Concludes "Gay Marriage" --- Cardinal Müller: "Gay Marriage is Impossible"

(Rome) Yesterday, Italy's Left Democratic Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi in Parliament's vote of confidence to abbreviate the legislative process for "gay marriage". As in other countries, the constitutionally prescribed route was bypassed to enforce special rights for homosexuals. The result is another victory of gender ideology and another parody of marriage.

The Alfano Galatino "compromise"

A "compromise" was decided upon in its preparation by the involvement of part of the Catholic Church in Italy over which Pope Francis presided quietly. After a month of parliamentary debate and stubborn resistance from the population - on 30 January, two million people protested in Rome against the government's plans - Prime Minister Renzi became increasingly nervous that his government could fall over the gay issue, just as had the left-wing government of of 2008.

To so opportunely came to him the willingness of a part of the church, to avoid a conflict with the government on socio-political level. Italy Interior Minister Angelino Alfano, a representative of the Christian Democrat-right liberal party alliance, and smaller coalition partner of the Left Democrats, and Bishop Nunzio Galatino, Secretary General of the Italian Episcopal Conference, agreed in a back room "compromise": to introduce gay marriage without calling it "marriage", but no adoption rights for homosexuals. The bill, is named after its originator, Monica Cirinnà, has since then been described in Catholic circles as the "Alfano Galatino Bill".

The organizers of the Family Day on 30 January reject the "compromise." Catholic commentators describe the "compromise" as "treason" and its Catholic supporters as "traitors".

Cardinal Müller: "Politicians have to serve the community and not to impose a false ideology"

Nunzio Galatino forged a compromise

At decisive moments before the parliamentary vote was announced, Cardinal Gerhard Müller, Prefect of the Congregation for Doctrine and the Faith, reaffirmed that a marriage between two people of the same sex "is not possible" and that this is a contradiction in itself. Cardinal Müller demanded that politicians in their votes and decision process "respect human nature". The cardinal himself said, referring to a statement of the CDF from 2003: "Politicians have to serve the community and not to impose a false ideology."

The Cardinal took advantage of a conference currently being held at the Vatican Conference on the Encyclical Deus Caritas est by Benedict XVI. that for its opinion is relevant not only the Italian Parliament, but of particular relevance.

Approval of "gay marriage" in the sense of the Church's blessing

However, with the Galatino's consent in his pocket, the Left Democrats and Christian Democrats could agree with legalizing "gay marriage" in the sense of the Church's blessing. As the government coupled its vote, it finally reached last night shortly after 7pm a majority of 173 of the 321 senators, securing a vote of confidence. The vote was attended by only 244 senators. Some moved for various reasons for absence, including the left-wing populist Five Star Movement, which left the hall before the vote. Of the Senators for Life, Ex-Prime Minister Mario Monti and former President Giorgio Napolitano for the law. Napolitano was praised by Pope Francis recently as one of the "Greats" of Italy.

Now the House of Representatives must approve the bill. Where the government has a clear majority.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
 Image: Corrispondenza Romana
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
Link to Katholisches...
AMDG

"No Compromises of the Church's Teaching" -- Cardinal Müller on the Bishops' Synod, SSPX, Medjugorje and Liberation Theology

(Rome) There will be "no compromise of the Church's teaching" in the Bishops' Synod this autumn. This was affirmed  by Cardinal Gerhard Müller, the prefect of the CDF. It is meant to seek pastoral ways to better integrate people in difficult situations in the community. While there is, says the Cardinal, no "substantial news" regarding  the SSPX, there would be a decision to Medjugorje in the fall.  Katholisch.de, the media portal of the German Bishops' Conference published an  an interview with the Cardinal.

Renewal and Deepening of  Marriage Preparation Necessary

Overlooking the Synod of Bishops on marriage and family  the German cardinal stressed that the Church must help "the people, even Catholics, ...to re-understand what the point is to marry and so, also publicly, to bind a person." While the discussion is so far turned mainly to the "failure" of marriages, Cardinal Müller stressed the need for "a renewal and deepening" of marriage preparation.

The cardinal also confirmed that the "ordinary general assembly" of the CDF will deal this "autumn" with Medjugorje: "The opinion of the Congregation will be  submitted  to the Holy Father for a further decision."

Various encounters with SSPX , "which should enhance mutual trust"

When asked whether the "unification efforts were suspended or postponed," since "recently" the  Priestly Society of St. Pius X had "become noticeably quiet," said Cardinal Müller that there was  "no substantial news in this issue." "The Holy Father wants us to keep at it: with 'determination and patience.'" In the "recent months", there were "encounters of various kinds, which should enhance mutual trust." "A prerequisite for a full reconciliation" said the Cardinal again, "is the signing of a doctrinal preamble, to ensure full compliance in the essential matters of faith." The Prefect's response   suggests that this singing the Preamble of 2012 is not required..

The recent trip to Latin America by Pope Francis has shown "that the Church must use an authentic liberation theology." He, Müller, has worked "for many years in accordance with the instruction of the Congregation" which the Marxist liberation theology was condemned in the 1980s, "for such a theology that is not aligned ideologically, but interested in the good of man and society." The election of Pope Francis on the Chair of Peter is "providential" because the majority of Catholics today live in Latin America. "Pope Francis has strengthened the believers  on his journey from the Gospel and encouraged and called the peoples there to  a peaceful and equitable coexistence. This is an order of the day," said Müller.

"I have Totally Committed my Life in Fidelity to the Pope"

When asked about his statement, there is a need to " theologically restructure" the pontificate of Pope Francis, the cardinal affirmed that "the specific task of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. . It has to promote the faith and morals throughout the Catholic Church on behalf of the Pope and protect his personal relationship with the reigning pope." Cardinal Müller said: "Personally,  I have totally committed my entire life in loyalty to the Pope."

Addressing eco-Encyclical Laudato Si, Müller said, that he is "very grateful for the encyclical" to the Pope. The document had a "very strong social-ethical component" and leads from "the tradition of the social encyclicals."  It "seems" to him that the Pope  proposed, "to open the eyes of all people of good will to the problem of environmental and human ecology and promote dialogue with each other  at all levels."

About the controversial issues is the allowance of remarried divorcees to Communion and the acceptance of homosexuality, with which the Synod of Bishops will deal next October, Cardinal Müller said: "Here the Synod faces the challenge to find pastoral ways of greater integration in the community, without compromising the Word of Jesus and the Church's teaching based on it. The family is irreplaceable importance for the future of the Church and of society. "

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: katholisch.de (Screenshot)
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
Link to Katholisches...
AMDG

"No Mercy Without Truth" -- Cardinal Müller on the Holy Year and the Synod of Bishops

Prefect Müller:  There are no secret pathways or shortcuts to
holiness.

(Rome) The proclaimed by Pope Francis extraordinary Holy Year of Charity begins next December 8 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Virgin Mary. "The Holy Year is to serve the people to remember that mercy can not be without the truth," said Cardinal Gerhard Müller, Prefect of the Congregation. Man and the Church "are often tempted to separate one from the other," the cardinal said.

The love of God is closely bound up with the truth. The same applies to the so-called broken families, those who are in an irregular situation. They need  the attention of the Church,  not in new pastoral ways, but by the truth.  Cardinal Müller led a discussion with the Italian news agency ANSA about the upcoming Holy Year. Cardinal Müller belonged to the most ardent defenders at the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops last October, of the Catholic teaching on marriage. In preparation for the Ordinary Synod of Bishops on the family next October,  he  always returns to take a position on the world stage for the sacrament of marriage as it has been taught by the Church of Christ and how this is why the Church has taught it  for almost 2000 years.

God does not intervene to "keep everything as it is"

In an interview with ANSA, said the cardinal,  the extraordinary Holy Year must "include all." God loves, "as he intervenes in history through His grace." But this is not just a "favor" as the cardinal used the Latin expression. So this is not just a favor- or proof of sympathy, a privilege or an acknowledgment. God does not grab one, "to let everything be as it is", but that the people "experience a renewal, a conversion, so we ever renew our hearts and truly change our lives. Therefore, we must remember also in the Holy Year, that we can not speak of mercy without truth," said Cardinal Prefect Müller.

In view of the Synod of Bishops in October, the German cardinal added that this also applies to the family. "We must accept  all,  especially sinners, because we are all sinners, but according to the instructions of God and not by human considerations. Because sometimes people see things a little differently as God sees them."

"We can not preach the resurrection without the cross"

It was important to show that there "is still sacramental marriage" and that the lifelong, indissoluble marriage between a man and a woman is not only possible, it will be a boon for both spouses and their offspring. "The mercy of God accepts us as we are, but it will not leave us as it finds us," said Cardinal Müller.

Always with a view to the forthcoming Synod of Bishops, in the interest particularly to the question of communion being valid for the divorced and remarried, the cardinal said that the goal of any intervention of divine grace is "salvation", and the  path to repentance. "We can not preach the resurrection without the cross. There is no second or third way," said the Prefect of the Roman Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, who made it to be understood so that there can be no short cuts on these topics or abbreviations.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: Radiosanmartin

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

Link to Katholisches...

AMDG

Cardinal Müller: "Diocese Are Not Branches of the Bishops' Conference"

Prefect of the CDF after recent statements of DBK-President Marx: "The President of the Episcopal Conference is no more than a technical presenter, this title is not linked to any specific teaching authority."

Vatican (kath.net) The claim that a Bishop's Conference was "not a branch of Rome", "gives me the cue to remind you that the dioceses are not branches of the Secretariat of the Episcopal Conference or [branches of] the diocese, whose bishop President of the Bishops' Conference is." This was Gerhard Müller Cardinal (photo), Prefect of the Congregation for Doctrine and the Faith, for the Catholic French magazine, Famille Chrétienne. He had been previously asked what he thought of a statement "where a German bishop had stated that the Bishops' Conference, which he was presiding, was no "branch of Rome," he was referring to remarks by Reinhard Cardinal Marx, President of the German Bishops' Conference . Müller explained further: "A Bishops' Conference is not a Particular Council, [it is] a lot less than an Ecumenical Council. The President of the Episcopal Conference is no more than a technical presenter, there is no special teaching authority linked with this title. "The attitude that a Bishops' Conference is not a branch of Rome," brings with it the danger to revive a certain polarization between the local Churches and the Universal Church which had come rest in the First and the Second Vatican Councils. The Church is not the sum of national churches whose presidents would choose a boss on a universal level."

On the question of whether some teaching or disciplinary decisions about marriage and the family could be delegated to the Bishops' Conferences, the Prefect of the CDF replied: "This is an absolutely anti-Catholic idea that does not respect the catholicity of the Church. Bishops' Conferences have authority in certain topics, but they possess no magisterium against  the magisterium without a pope and without communion with all the bishops."

"The Church is not a philanthropic organization. It is not enough if we say that we respect the views of all and wish good for all," Müller explained further. Indeed it is not too difficult, only present the gospel as a therapeutic agent, but this does not correspond to the requirements of Jesus. "Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and receive all manner of slander because of me, said Jesus. The first Apostles, the Church Fathers, the great bishops of the Church had so often to sail against the wind. Why should this be any different for us? Link to kath.net... Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com AMDG

Cardinal Müller: Pope Is Not Above the Word of God and the Catholic Faith

Edit: Rorate tends to understate things.  They want a sober response.  We'd like to offer this translation of Giuseppe Nardi's appreciation of their take on Cardinal Müller's recent letter appearing in the Osservatore Romano and additional commentary from other important Italian blogs.

(Rome) The extremely progressivist French newspaper Golias has sounded the alarm because of the "danger" that churchmen like the Cardinals Burke, Müller, Ranjith, Cañizares, Ouellet, Sarah and other "young cardinals" could prevent further "liberalization" of the constitution of the Church  with support of older cardinals like Scola, Pell and Caffarra.

The traditional  website Chiesa e Postconcilio contrast wrote: "God allows evil only so it is good bring about an even greater good. The immense disorder in the Bishops'  Synod on the Family led to wonderful declarations of faith by high-ranking prelates, the signs of hope for the future of the Church."

Cardinal Gerhard Müller is prefect of the Congregation and one of the five cardinals who wrote for the anthology "Remain in the Truth of Christ" along with the other bearers of the purple,  Brandmüller, De Paolis, Burke and Caffarra for the Synod of Bishops on the family in 2014.  Recently he had made ​his lecture public ​on the website of the CDF,  the referendum on the 13th of January by the Hungarian Esztergom on "The Theological Nature of the Doctrinal  Commissions and the Office of Bishops as Teachers of the Faith."

Put things into place

"In a very Ratzingerian way" says Rorate Caeli , "Cardinal Müller (referring to the Motu Proprio Apostolos Suos of John Paul II.), puts things in their place." He distinguishes between the supplementary authority of the Bishops and their organs, such as the Commissions on Faith, which are tasked to harmonize the various pastoral orientations, and the divine right of the successors of the apostles, that is of a different nature, and to the  extent makes them  teachers and guardians of the faith for their local churches, as they accept at the same time, the universal Church in union with the supreme pastor, the Pope.

The Cardinal recently wrote about this: "So the predicates of the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church in the Roman Church  are realized a fortiori. Since ancient times it has called forth the Holy Roman Church - not because of the subjective holiness of her head and her members, but because of the holiness of its specific mission which is to pass down and preserves intact the apostolic tradition, the deposit of faith.".

The following passage in the speech by Cardinal Müller on the papal magisterium held some attention in Rome:

Cardinal Mülller: The Pope 'like all believers - is subject to the word of God and the Catholic faith "

"At the level of the universal Church the special mission of the Successor of Peter is especially mentioned to strengthen his brethren in the faith (cf.. Lc 22,32). This is not the place to deal with the doctrine of papal infallibility, but the characteristic and ultimate responsibility of the Roman Pontiff  emphasizes protecting healthy doctrine. In its "Considerations on the Primacy of the Successor of Peter in the Mystery of the Church "of 1998, the Congregation declared: 'The bishop of Rome is - like all believers - subject to the word of God and the Catholic faith. He is the guarantee for the obedience of the Church and in this sense servus servorum. He decides according to his own will, but it is voice  the will of the Lord who speaks to man in Scripture lived and interpreted by tradition. In other words, the episkope of primacy has limits, resulting from the law of God and contained in   revelation  in the untouchable divine institution of the Church. The Successor of Peter is the rock that against arbitrariness and conformism, he guarantees a relentless fidelity to the Word of God: It also follows the  martyrological characters of his primacy.'"

Cardinal Sarah: "Some want to sacrifice Christ's message for relativistic ideology of the West"

Cardinal Robert Sarah

Cardinal Robert Sarah, the new prefect of the Roman Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments made ​​it clear in his recently published book, "God or nothing" (Dieu ou rien) in France this week that he is on the "same wavelength" (on Rorate Caeli ). Cardinal Sarah explained in moving detail from his life and shows his solid theology and spiritual claims that he is a priest and pastors of the Church.The language of the African bishop and cardinal, who risked his life more than once, "reached a formal level, when he speaks of the relativistic ideology of the West, to which some want to sacrifice the message of Christ" and all there - as it is now fashionable - to adorn this  with winning quotes from Pope Francis, says Rorate Caeli.

Cardinal Müller: "Clean the Temple"

On February 8,Osservatore Romano published under the title "Purifying the Temple" a above-cited article by Cardinal Müller in Italian, in the German edition has appeared under the official title " Theological criteria for a reform of the Church and the Roman Curia", [Our translation, no idea where the English version is right now, will continue to check.] Müller points to the fact that the real reforms in Church history were always spiritual and not political reforms. The Curial reform must therefore, if it is to be of real importance for the renewal of the Church, be a spiritual reform in the first place. Its organizational structure and its operation must be subordinated to the special mission of the Successor of Peter.

In the words of Cardinal Müller: "The Curia is not a secular administrative structure, it is an essentially spiritual device that is rooted in the special mission of the Church of Rome, which is sanctified by the martyrdom of the Apostles Peter and Paul. (...) The structural organization and operation of the Curia has its measure in the specific mission of the Bishop of Rome. This [officeholder?] is defined as the Successor of Peter, the gift of Christ to his Church "the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity of the multiplicity of both bishops and of the faithful" (Lumen Gentium, 23). "

Cardinal Müller's criticism of permanent synod as part of the church leadership

Cardinal Oscar Maradiaga

He continued: "As we can differ only in the light of revealed faith from a purely human religious community, the Church, so we understand only in faith that the Pope and the bishops have a sacramental and healing supreme power  that connects us with God. This  distinguishes them from leaders those  religious community springs from sociological and organizational foundations," Cardinal Müller.

One  sentence rings forth with especial clarity: "The Synod of Bishops, the Episcopal Conferences and other coalitions of bishops belong to a different theological category than the Roman Curia." It's a direct criticism of a new idea that has formed in the circle of the C9 Cardinal Council, which is mandated to propose suggestions for the reform of the Curia. According to the new idea, ​the Synod of Bishops should become a sort of permanent institution that is part of the Roman dicasteries by a permanent delegation and should thus have a direct stake in Church leadership. [Like a sort of Universal Catholic Council of Bishops?] The spokesman for extending the influence of episcopal collegiality with a new Synodality is the Honduran, Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga.

"In definitive words, the Cardinals Miller and Sarah  express that which differs from figures such as Baldisseri, Marx, Tagle and Kasper," said Rorate Caeli.

Text: Giuseppe Mardi
image: Messa in Latino
Trans: Tancred verkon99@hotmail.com
Link to Katholisches...
AMDG

Fellay and Müller: Doctrinal Preamble Versus Dispute on Grace 2.0

Bishop Bernard Fellay and Cardinal Gerhard Muller

Edit: I think the important thing here is that no Preamble was offered for signature.  We'll try to post the link as soon as it appears.

(Berlin) On 23 September, a meeting between the head of the CDF and the Fraternity of St. Pius X was held in Rome, including in the first place Gerhard Müller as Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for Doctrine and the Faith and Bishop Bernard Fellay as Superior General of the SSPX. For this reason Clement Victor Oldendorf published  the article "Doctrinal Preamble versus Grace Dispute 2.0" at Kath.news.

There  was some censoring of the document arbitrarily undertaken and subsequently  it was "too spicy" and this was supposedly justified by "too few formulations true to pope and Rome."  The author then wished  the deletion of the essay, which had been  dismissed as "speculation".

On September 27 after this call Kathnews.de took the contribution offline..

Katholisches.info has now published, with the consent of the author, the full post in an unabridged version.

.

Doctrinal Preamble Versus Grace Dispute 2.0

by Clement Victor Oldendorf

Since the beginning of September   information on September 21, 2014  has been circulating that there will be a meeting between the Prefect of the CDF, Cardinal Gerhard Müller, and the Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X, Bishop Bernard Fellay. The forecasts were rather skeptical and hesitant, with what appeared to be by no means irrational pessimism even from the time when he was Bishop of Regensburg in the face of Mueller's relevant statements. So it was expected, for example, Müller would require Fellay, but without ifs and buts, to accept the last submitted version of the so-called Doctrinal Preamble. Something Fellay had previously excluded, after he was confronted in 2012 with a complete surprise in its text version.

Message of Vatican Radio

For a few hours now a message has appeared on the website of Vatican Radio,   that the encounter did not take place on Sunday, but  took place today and lasted two hours: Add link to the message of Vatican Radio!

This text no longer mentions the Doctrinal Preamble. An insistence on the adoption of its final version would probably also proven to be an impasse and conceived as a deliberate provocation on the part of Rome if the contacts collapsed. 

Incomplete Theological Thinking Then and Now

If you read today's news from Radio Vatican, it suggests rather a more open modus vivendi to recognize the parallels to be the "solution" in the so-called disputes on grace  of the 16th and early 17th century. At that time,   theologians of the Jesuit and the Dominican orders were disputing over questions of the doctrine of grace, namely about the right relationship between divine grace and human participation in the process of justification, and they accused each other of being heretics. In 1607, Pope Paul V ruled that everyone should provisionally retain his theological position and collect arguments to refute the other side, but that it was forbidden to denounce each other. The Apostolic See will, as it was then be called to decide the question of content   "soon". To date, no Pope has decided this question. Actually, this is a fine example that Pope Francis has repeatedly called for "unfinished, theological thinking" in the church already has a long established tradition.

Grace dispute 2.0 Appeared in 2009 as a Thought Experiment

If it were, now here come to a recurrence of such, as it were open solution, it is tempting to recall   interesting and little-known details from the year 2009. At that time, after Benedict XVI. had just withdrawn the Decree of Excommunication on the original four auxiliary bishops of the SSPX in January,  Fellay continued ordinations in the summer at Zaitzkofen, on the territory of the Diocese of Regensburg, which increased media interest.

Many were present at the ceremony, journalists of various newspapers, from radio and television and almost besieged the  celebrations with cameras and microphones. Subsequently, the reporters were invited to a press conference.This allowed each of the media representatives asked a question of the bishop. Almost all the questions were just about the unspeakable Holocaust remarks of his confrere [Bishop] Richard Williamson. However, one journalist present for the Wiener Zeitung set a question that was completely out of this frame. 

Namely, he broached   the historical dispute on grace just outlined here and asked Fellay, if there were not possibly an analogous result could be in the best solution for the doctrinal disputations about Vatican II between Rome and the Society. After an initial surprise, he wasn't being asked about  gas chambers or Williamson, the Superior General of this idea described then these corresponding things as very clever and interesting and confirmed that such a solution could actually be possible.

Introduction: Giuseppe Nardi
image: SSPX / Wikicommons

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

Link to Katholisches...

AMDG

Talks Between Rome and the SSPX Resume

Bishop Fellay in Rome

(Rome) In the late morning of the day the meeting between  the Prefect of the Congregation for Doctrine and the Faith,  Cardinal Gerhard Müller and the Superior General of the SSPX, Bishop Fellay, was held in Rome. For the first time Cardinal Müller and Bishop Fellay had personally met since the former Bishop of Regensburg had been appointed early summer 2012 to be Prefect of the CDF. 

Since the election of Pope Francis there have been no lack of voices that take a hard line in Rome  and say  they  want the bishops and priests of the SSPX  to be excommunicated. Pope Francis did not follow this "advice". The talks between the SSPX and Rome were resumed today instead.

The statement published by the Vatican press office did not appear  in different languages, but in German. The following translation leans closely as possible to the relevant Italian text.

"On the morning of Tuesday 23 September from 11 am to 1 pm, a cordial meeting took place at the premises of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, between Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and Bishop Bernard Fellay, superior general of the Society of St. Pius X. The meeting was also attended by Archbishops Luis Francisco Ladaria Ferrer, S.I., secretary of the same Congregation, Joseph Augustine Di Noia, O.P., adjunct secretary and Guido Pozzo, secretary of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, along with two assistants from the Society of St. Pius X, Rev. Niklaus Pfluger and Rev. Alain-Marc Nély.

During the meeting, various problems of a doctrinal and canonical nature were examined, and it was decided to proceed gradually and over a reasonable period of time in order to overcome difficulties and with a view to the envisioned full reconciliation.

Two aspects of the Declaration catches your eye. First, the emphasis that the encounter in a "warm climate" was held. A formulation that sounds very strong in German translation, in the flowery Italian language however, still would allow some increase of opportunities, but overall indicated a positive indication. Secondly, the content of the last sentence is most important, which shows that the direct communication between Rome and Econe are open again. That did not seem self-evident recently. 

The official statement of the General House of the SSPX in Menzingen largely corresponds to the wording of the Vatican. In addition, next to the "doctrinal and canonical problems" it said that the "current situation of the Church" was addressed. The explanation of the SSPX is reluctant to state a desired objective and speaks of "continuing to clarify the remaining controversial points."

A Brief Review

In spring 2012, the impression was generally accepted in the months previous on the part of the SSPX,  the impression that Rome accepted the arguments put forward in requests for changes to the "Doctrinal Preamble", whose adoption should form the basis for the canonical recognition. Then in May the General Assembly of the Congregation came together and annulled the results obtained. On June 13, 2012, Bishop Fellay thought to travel to Rome and return with the canonical recognition of the SSPX. Instead, it was Cardinal William Levada,  then Prefect of the CDF who didn't present the agreed text of the Doctrinal Preamble, but  the original version again, before the talks began. An unacceptable situation, which ended with an inconclusive departure of the Superior General of the SSPX. Because the turnaround came so unexpectedly, Bishop Fellay asked a few days later, expressly and in writing with Benedict XVI. according to whether it really is also the desire of the Pope. As this was confirmed on June 30, there was a hiatus. 

Some circles in Rome wanted to pass the buck to  the SSPX  for the failure of the talks and wanted from Bishop Fellay a written negative answer to the "preamble". When the SSPX, who felt betrayed in their view, was not to fall into this trap,  yet in the meantime there came into office, and thus not concerned with the new faith discussions, Müller, Prefect of the CDF who issued the Society  an ultimatum early in early 2013.

In one of his last decisions  Pope Benedict XVI. lifted the ultimatum, however, shortly before his resignation. The whole question therefore remained unanswered. The unification efforts of 2005, initiated by the German Pope, which should have resulted in a canonical recognition of the Society were placed on ice.

With the election of Pope Francis, the conditions seemed even less certain than ever of being able for the failed talks to productively resume. After one and a half years of official hiatus, the talks were resumed in a surprisingly benevolent climate today.

It is clear that there were voices in the Vatican, after the successful prevention of an agreement by the Plenary Assembly of the Congregation, the resignation of Benedict XVI. and the election of Pope Francis, to take the opportunity to draw a sharp line and say to adopt a Decree of Excommunication for the bishops and all the priests of the SSPX. An option that has been suggested to Pope Francis that the Argentine Pope, despite his barely manageable aversion to tradition and the traditional rite, did not own.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: Vatican Insider
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
Link to Katholisches...
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Cardinal: There's No Conspiracy Against the Reform For the Remarried Divorced

De Paolis criticizes freedom of speech and debate within the Church.

Rome (kath.net/ CBA) Two weeks before the World Synod of Bishops on the Family, the Italian media is fueling further debate about dealing with divorced and remarried in the Catholic Church. In an interview with the newspaper "La Repubblica" the retired Italian Cardinal, De Paolis Velasio, rejected on Saturday the claim that the opponents of a change in Church practice have come together to form a conspiracy.

He wanted to have the freedom to say what he thinks "without being accused of being a conspirator," said De Paolis, who was president of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See until 2011. He pointed out that he had first published an essay that deals with the subject months ago. The Italian Cardinal is one of five authors of a paper whose contribution expects adherence to the existing exclusion of remarried divorcees from receiving Communion.

The publication date of the book in Italy, will be four days before the start of the World Synod of Bishops, on October 1, which had fueled speculation in the media that it was a deliberate action by the opponents of reform. It is directed in particular against the retired German Cardinal Walter Kasper, who advocates a cautious change [sic] in the current practice in dealing with divorced and remarried, as speculated by some observers.

He wanted to make a contribution to the dialogue with his opinion, De Paolis said, continuing in the interview. At the same time he insists that he would also like to add an opposing vote in the Synod of Bishops. "So I would have no problem". De Paolis argued against the idea that one can only change the praxis without calling into question here previous doctrine. There should be no conflict between teaching and everyday pastoral care, says De Paolis.

The Cardinal pointed out that he had first released the essay question months ago. Among the other authors of this volume are also the prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine and the Faith, Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller as well as the retired German Cardinal Walter Brandmüller. Their contributions have been previously published already elsewhere. (C) 2014 CBA Catholic News Agency. All rights reserved. Any media usage and forwarding only under written agreements with CBA allowed.

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

Link to Katholisches... AMDG

Pope Receives Ecclesia Dei Secretary Pozzo Shortly Before the Meeting With Cardinal Müller and Bishop Fellay

(Vatican) Pope Francis has received Curia Archbishop Guido Pozzo, secretary of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei in audience on 18 September.

There is nothing at present of the content of the meeting between the Pope and the Titular Archbishop of Bagnoregio on Lake Bolsena, north of Rome. The audience took place a few days before the meeting announced for September 21  between Cardinal Gerhard Müller, Prefect of the Congregation, and Bishop Bernard Fellay, Superior General of the Priestly Society of St. Pius X. Both the Holy See and the SSPX confirmed the upcoming meeting,  but didn't give an exact date. Officially there was talk of a date in "near future".

The Commission Ecclesia Dei is part of the CDF. Its President is Cardinal Müller. He is one of the nine outstanding Cardinals, including some heads of departments of the Roman Curia, who came in these days with two international publications in defense of Catholic teaching on marriage against the theses of Cardinal Walter Kasper to the public.

Cardinal Kasper responded, insulted and is hiding behind Pope Francis. Everything he did, "is agreed to by the Pope."

Bishop Fellay had said last April to Kasper's theses: "We can not to wait until the Synod meets in the autumn in its  devastated spirit, which Cardinal Kasper wants to give it, without raising our voices. (...) A Pastoral, which suggests the express teaching of Christ about the indissolubility of marriage is not merciful, but insults God  Who imparts His grace sufficiently to everyone; moreover they are cruel towards   souls, who are in difficult situations and receive that Grace which they need to live a Christian life and to grow in virtue, even to heroism "

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: SSPX / Wikicommons

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

Link ...

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[Update] Lombardi Confirms Meeting Between Bishop Fellay and Cardinal Müller

Edit: As reported by Rorate, and the "Resistance" among other, there will be a meeting between Bishop Fellay and Cardinal Muller. Since then we found this update by Katholisches:

[Update 17:00] The meeting between Cardinal and Bishop Fellay Müller has now been confirmed by Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi.   It has already been reported by Vatican Radio. Curiously, the message category was assigned "ecumenism" on the website of the Vatican radio station.

Stift Melk: Abbot Complained About to CDF by Local Laity

Edit:  We’d reported last week that a defrocked priest was to be the retreat director at a dying Benedictine Monastery in Austria, Stift Melk.  St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville regularly engages in this sort of thing, but the local laity of St. Cloud only grumble, perhaps, or are resigned that nothing will ever be done about the Modernist Monastery.  Well, we criticize the bishops of Vienna and St. Pölten all the time, like the Abbott of Melk.  We’re shocked to hear that there are monks opposed to this sort of thing.  It’s still more astonishing that the neoconservative kathnet has reported it.

What will be interesting to hear is if anything is done.  Could Collegeville be due for a visitation?

Eugen Drewermann has held the annual retreat for the monks of the Abbey of Melk at the invitation of the abbot. Believers have complained to Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller.

Vatican / Melk (kath.net / jg)
The affair of Eugen Drewermann's appearance at the annual retreat of the Benedictines of the Abbey of Melk has led to complaints at the CDF. Believers have informed Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, the President of the CDF,  in a letter about the annual retreat held by Eugen Drewermann at the invitation of Abbot Gerhard Wilfinger. kath.net has reported .

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The kath.net This letter mentions further transgressions of the abbott of Melk. This claims that ​​monks who had criticized the invitation to Drewermann were "silenced". Wilfinger has shown little of a Catholic attitude in public  and regularly criticize the bishops of St. Pölten and Vienna. On the other hand, he did not respond to grievances that relate to his monastery.  One of the monks of the Stift  lives with a woman and has confirmed this in the media. 

Complaints from the faithful to Abbot Wilfinger have simply ignored, it says in the letter. The Diocese of St. Pölten did not want to comment about the request from kath.net on the matter. Bishop Küng, however, has no direct right to give instructions about the responsible person of Melk Abbey.

Link to Katholisches…

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Pope Appoints Bishop Francis Voderholzer as Member of CDF

Previously suggested by Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller.

Created by Vatican Radio on May 28, 2014 at 23:18 clock

Vatican / Regensburg (Catholic news / RV). Pope Francis has appointed the Bishop of Regensburg Rudolf Voderholzer a member of the Vatican Congregation for Doctrine and the Faith. This became known this Wednesday. The Congregation is led by Voderholzer’s predecessor in the chair as Bishop of Regensburg, Gerhard Ludwig Müller, Cardinal. In an interview with Vatican Radio, Voderholzer said Mueller has already indicated to him that the Congregation could well use another German theologian, and that Pope Francis also sees it that way. He wanted to see how much extra work that could be accomplished. Also Müller's pre-predecessor was adoptive Regensburger: Joseph Ratzinger, now Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI. Voderholzer is an editor of Ratzinger's collected writings. Other members of the Congregation of Doctrine and the Faith announced this Wednesday are the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and the Archbishop of Poznan in Poland, Stanislaw Gadecki.

Photo: Regensburg Cathedral -
Image Source: Andreas Gehrmann
From Kathnews...

The Catholic Faith Isn't an Easy Feel Good Religion

Marktl (Catholic news / CBA). The prefect of the Roman Congregation of the Faith, Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, has involved himself again in the debate over the Church's handling of the divorced and remarried. On a visit to Marktl am Inn on Thursday, he warned against a "timid and spiritless" leap on any train. Before going, one must know in which direction he's going, Müller said. The Catholic faith is not a "feel-good religion" and the comfy is not always the best. In view of marital problems and a desire to divorce, Müller said, a marriage could have known ups and downs. "It isn't an everlasting honeymoon," said the cardinal. A principle should apply: "We have to adapt to what God wants from us." Müller commented at the opening of the special exhibition "Holy Popes and Their Colleague, Joseph Ratzinger" at the birthplace of Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI. The show focuses on the canonizations last Sunday of Popes John XXIII. (1958-1963) and John Paul II (1978-2005) from the perspective of the counciliar theologian and Cardinal Ratzinger. Source: © CBA. All rights reserved Photo: Cardinal Müller - image source: M. citizens, Kath News Link to Kathnews... AMGD

Is Pope Francis Ignoring Collegiality to Intervene on Behalf of Dissident University in Peru?

Edit: Some may recall that in Chile, there were attempts to overrule the local ordinary were in turn overruled by Cardinal Bertone in February of 2013. This time, in Peru. Why can’t Pope Francis allow collegiality to take its course, particularly when doctrinal orthodoxy is at question, since they have steadfastly refused, like so many other schools, to implement Ex Corde Ecclesiae.

In the confines of the current Vatican intervention, there is no discussion of bringing the University to heel, but only mediating the two parties. One would think there’s nothing to talk about.”



In a protracted dispute over the Catholic University of Peru, Pope Francis now wants to bring about a decision.

Lima (kath.net / CBA) In a protracted dispute over the Catholic University of Peru Pope Francis now wants to bring about a decision. Francis had invoked the Commission of Cardinals to find a "mutually acceptable final solution", the University PUCP announced in Lima on Monday (local time). The committee will be headed by Cardinal Peter Erdo of Budapest.

In July 2012, the Vatican's only Catholic University of Peru had been forbidden to continue calling itself "papal" and “Catholic”. The background is a conflict over the competence of leadership and Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne of Lima. Erdo had already mediated between Cipriani and the Rector in December 2011, but was unsuccessful. Other members of the new Commission are reported as the Canadian Cardinal Gerald Cyprien Lacroix and the Chilean Cardinal familiar to Pope Francis, Ricardo Ezzati Andrello.

The deprivation of the title was the culmination of a dispute of the leadership of the university, founded in 1917. The Vatican Secretariat of State justified this step, among other things, that the University in its activities now follow criteria that are "incompatible with the discipline and morality of the Church." The university did not comply with demands for adapting their statutes. The letter, dated July 11, 2012 was signed by the then Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

The prominent University is in conflict with Cardinal Cipriani of Lima, who, in addition to his office as Archbishop of the Peruvian capital, has also been Chancellor of the University since 2007. It's about the right to appoint the rector to lead oversight of the teaching content and to control the considerable real estate assets of the University.

(C) 2014 Catholic News Agency KNA GmbH. All rights reserved

Cardinal Müller About Cardinal Kasper: “Can only speak for himself"

(Rome) The German editors of Vatican Radio streamed an interview on Monday  with Gerhard Ludwig Müller, Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation of Doctrine and the Faith. In connection with the  Consistory Cardinal Kasper's running discussion on divorced and remarried, Cardinal Müller said that he was the Prefect of the Congregation sharing in the Magisterium of the Pope, "while others who talk here, even if they are of the cardinal rank, simply speak only for themselves personally and do not  make an official statement. "

Vatican Radio: Your Eminence, the Pope wants a debate. He wants it to take place in two synods on marriage and family. How do you see the role of the CDF in this upcoming debate?

Cardinal Müller: The CDF will  participate at  this point, but of course in all matters of Catholic doctrine on the level of the truths of faith. I think it is important for the public perception to overcome the narrowing now to only on one subject, as if that would be the solution of all. There is much about getting back centrally to usher the Church's teaching of marriage and family to the consciousness of the Catholic faith, because only when we talk about the success of  marriage and  family have we contributed to this, can we make a positive difference.

Vatican Radio: In public opinion, they are so often perceived or presented as the brakeman or the naysayers when it comes to the Initiatives of the Pope. Does it touch you personally?

Cardinal Müller: Of course, this is now a propaganda that is made specifically to me to construct a contrast to what the Prefect of the CDF or the congregation as a whole, it is only the primus inter pares, has to do. This is clearly just defined by the statutes. However,  also means that we ensure that the Pope is not appropriated for specific goals. It's just interesting that now the time so many groups rely on the Pope, who previously almost invariably rejected the papacy. In this respect, it comes to us in any case that we serve the Pope and the Church, and we are not  served by the Pope. 

Vatican Radio: The debate I just mentioned which has indeed been initiated  by the Pope,   included your participatition too. There are circles, especially in the Italian media, "Il Foglio", a newspaper even went so far  as to say it, there was a campaign against Cardinal Kasper for several days. What is their stake in the debate? What do you demand in the upcoming debate, which far transcends even  the congregations in the Vatican?

Cardinal Müller: I'm not involved as a private theologian, but it is in this function, the CDF is indeed the only one of the Roman congregations, which immediately has a share in providing the Magisterium of the Pope, while others who register here, even if they are of the cardinal rank,  are simply speaking personally for themselves and not to make an official statement.

Vatican Radio: Let's go one step further. It's not just cardinals, who are  participating but there is still a questionnaire, which has indeed generated an attitude of great expectations. Now once it is asked positively: What can the international involvement and suggestions have in the debate, what can its positive contribution be?

Cardinal Müller: Yes it can be positive, I believe,  in its contribution,  very much in  that  Catholics again deal with their own faith and not simply isolate this or that exception from the liturgy,  or  the Church's teaching. We need to see the relationship of preaching and pastoral care of the teaching of the Church but also Diakonia. Can I choose, am  I very socially engaged  or am I doing charitable works at the church, but the worship of God or the celebration of the Sacraments, which doesn’t matter to  me so personally. But the questionnaire as such is no dogma, which is worth as much and just means  as  much as the quality of the questions and the relationship that is given or is not given.

Vatican Radio: You are a man of clear words, which we have just heard. I think it also goes back far in history. Is this the role of the CDF to speak or rather is it  Gerhard Ludwig Müller who speaks?

Cardinal Müller: The CDF has a clear mandate to promote the Catholic faith, but also to protect.  But that is no other than the task  the Pope himself received from Jesus Christ and here we must mention I do not sit back in  comfort and ease to flirt with public opinion. That’s fine if you have the wind at your back and is inflated to a great size.   But I think this temptation must be resisted by every bishop and every priest, whether there is a desire to  hear it or not.

Text: Vatican Radio
Image: Il Foglio
Trans: Tancred99@hotmail.com

Link to Katholisches….

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