Cardinal Schönborn Downplays the Blogosphere

On the way to a Turning Point in Religious Instruction

Editor: The Danube Cardinal may discount the blogosphere, but one of his own Auxiliary Bishops doesn't entirely agree with him about the quality of religious instruction. Considering recent reports about Youth Programs it's very difficult to agree with him that there is only room for "a little improvement".

Cardinal Schönborn honored the job of teachers of religion and said: "I stand behind them. It can't be denied that even in religious instruction there is need of improvement and that critical voices must be taken seriously.

Vienna [kath.net/PEW/red] The subject of religion is, beside all criticism, a "completely central theme of society", exclaimed Cardinal Christoph Schönborn in the St Stephen's Cathedral with a Mass for religious instructors. In the last years the theme of religion has become significantly more central. The Viennese Archbishop is reported as saying: " This belongs to the minds of many people much more in daily life than we perhaps ourselves realize, even when it doesn't take the form of a church community." It brings to mind what the German Bundechancellor Angela Merkel said a little while ago: Not to talk too much about the dominant Christian culture, rather to live the Christian life authentically and happily.

Religious instruction has, for this reason a "much more certain place than is often supposed". At the same time one may not himself be satisfied with a "banal civil religion", "which is always appropriate and never offends anyone." The challenge of the Gospel is today even more looked for, said Cardinal Schönborn. At the same time the Viennese Archbishop thanked the religious instructors for their service -- "irrespective of the comments of some Internet Blogs". The religious instructors have overcome or simply lived through many difficulties in the last years. "I stand behind you", said Cardinal Schönborn. That isn't going to cease and that even in religious instruction there's room for improvement and that critical voices must be taken seriously.

Then he continued with a "word of encouragement", as the Viennese Archbishop put it and recalled simultaneously what in the first half of the discussion about abuse has irrupted in the Church. Things have gone poorly for him personally in this situation, but the religion instructors in the classroom are still much more direct with the questions which critically confront them. In the scholastic area it has certainly been handled circumspectly in past years, to avoid [talking about] abuse. At the same time it is excusable that Waltraud Klasnic -- who is 65 these days -- who has undertaken the task, to lead the "independent victim protection tribunal", says Cardinal Schönborn [Editor: This tribunal system, which is meant to offer a buffer to the issue of homosexual abuse, is often another stonewall, and predictably a cynical legal ploy to indemnify the Church from further abuse claims. Indeed, one of the advisers on this tribunal is even accused of abuse himself" It resembles in many ways other tribunals, like the one established in Collegeville, supposedly a pioneering event, at the beginning of the abuse crisis in earnest in the late nineties, which none the less has been ineffective in keeping homosexual predators out of circulation, and has even allowed the perpetrators to cover their tracks as was the case with Father Francisco Schulte. Documents on this man have disappeared.]

KLARTEXT: Auxiliary Bishop Andreas Laun promoted the reform of religious instruction: and it did not occur as it should have. Poorly formed, sometimes even not really believing teachers. The evil arose from the level of education of the teacher.

Vienna: 500 Poles Are Opposed to Giving Church Away

The Archdiocese of Vienna would like to give a church to the Serbian-Orthodox Community of Vienna. Now the blossoming Catholic Polish Community of the Parish is circulating a petition -- and a demonstration is also possible.

Vienna [kath.net] In the Archdiocese of Vienna there is upset over the planned giving of a church in the Parish of Neulerchenfeld to the Serbian Orthodox Community as reported by "Krone". The Parish has been for years the establishment of a Polish Community, which has grown considerably and are now opposing the handing over of their church. The Polish Community is in contrast to other "normal Parishes" with more than 500 Faithful, full every Sunday.

A massive opposition to the decision of the Archdiocese is promised. In addition to a petition is being considered an active demonstration. The Polish pastor: "There is a deeply rooted community here, which can't just be replanted wherever."

Read original...

Bishop Fellay Sees Prophesies: Cardinal Against Cardinal

All Against All -- That is the Common-Theology of the Second Vatican Council

The General Superior of the Society of Pius X: "We find ourselves in a time, which was unforseen, that Cardinal will stand against Cardinal and Bishop against Bishop."

[kreuz.net] The crisis in the Church is like a wandering through the desert.

Bishop Fellay, the General Superior of the Society of Pius X said this in an interview with the periodical "Noucelles de Chrétienté"

Really in contrast to the wandering of the Israelites in the desert is that Mana is very difficult to find.

The Bishop see really "encouraging signals" from Rome. To be sure they are mixed along with many problems. It is comparable to "a blade of grass in the desert."

Msgr Fellay explained that the Society is only of negligible size: "But we represent living Tradition."

Even a high-ranking Prelate in Rome considers the good fruits of the Society of Pius X as a work of the Holy Ghost -- says Msgr Fellay.

This is the reason, why the Roman authorities have take notice of the Society: "In the midst of the desert, fresh fruit has ripened."

Even in the Vatican Minds Bump into Each Other

The Bishop explained that the Old Mass expresses the Catholic mind, just as the New Mass expresses the Mind of the Second Vatican Council.

Both Rites embody two mental dispositions which do not suit one another.

The question if the tear in the Church also runs through Rome, met with agreement from Msgr Fellay:

"We find ourselves in times, which were foretold, that Cardinal will strive against Cardinal and Bishop against Bishop."

This conflict will be carried out discretely. It is withdrawn from the sight of the faithful.

Actually in the last time the conflict will become open and public. As an example Bishop Fellay mentioned the "baseless attack" of Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna against the Cardinal Emeritus Angelo Sodano.

"It is no secret that the opposing tendencies collide with each other even in Rome."

Bishop Fellay has concrete facts, but he does not believe, that their publication will help the faithful.


The Council Allows Various Interpretations

Concerning Ecumenism Msgr Fellay remembered then that the Church regarded other Christian Confessions when Pius XII. (+1958) had inclusively condemned them as "false religions".

He criticized even the manner of interpreting the Second Vatican Council after a so-called Hermenutic of Continuity.

Thus one introduces a "new Council".

Such a centrist Council will be defined by the Modernist as as traditional and by the Society as not traditional enough.

Bishop Fellay infers from this the divergence of interpretations of which there are no lack in the Council documents themselves.


Rebuilding Will be Difficult

Discussing the Church crisis, he explained, that a quick solution will only be accomplished by God and a miracle: "Usually, God leads His Church otherwise -- bu cooperating with his creatures with holiness."

The Bishop described the way to the rebuilding of the Church as, "long, the work immeasurable.":

"If the politics of the naming of Bishops changes, then we could hope."

Msgr Fellay also views the necessity of a thoroughgoing reform of the Teaching Office of the Papal Universities and Priestly formation.

For these aims are needed a long breath. In the moment these are still "dreams": "Everything depends in the first line on the Pope."

Bishop Fellay is posoitive that the Church apparently recognizes the crisis in the Church more clearly.

The Society of St Pius X recognizes for this reason that the Church possesses until today only one valid past.

Read further...

Photo: kreuz.net

Archdiocese of Vienna: Caritas Director Michael Landau Oppposes Rome

The high ranking Church functionary of the Archdiocese of Vienna ignores Church teachings regarding the priesthood for women -- a few weeks ago, Landau was still on call as the Austrian Bishops conference's new Secretary.

Vienna, (kath.net) The Viennese head of Caritas Michael Landau had set himself against Rome in an interview with Austrian Television regarding celibacy and the ordination of women. Landau said regarding celibacy: "That was introduced at some point in the history of the Church, and can also at the same time be abolished in the same manner." The high ranking Church functionary of the Archdiocese of Vienna would like these things "much more open and more clearly" than they were discussed in the past. Also Landau can imagine the ordination of women to the priesthood. He believes that this would be at least "substantially changed" in the Church, if the Church opened the consecrated offices to women. Especially explosive on the question: Landau was a few weeks ago still on call as the new Secretary of the Austrian Bishops Conference. Kath.net came by this information by Episcopal circles. Also, according to the daily "Die Presse" Cardinal Christoph von Schönborn had even proposed Laundau as a possible Bishop.

Pope John Paul II has already clearly explained in "Ordinatio Sacerdotalis", that the Church will never allow "womans' ordination". It says in the document: "Although the teaching that priestly ordination is to be reserved to men alone has been preserved by the constant and universal Tradition of the Church and firmly taught by the Magisterium in its more recent documents, at the present time in some places it is nonetheless considered still open to debate, or the Church's judgment that women are not to be admitted to ordination is considered to have a merely disciplinary force.

Wherefore, in order that all doubt may be removed regarding a matter of great importance, a matter which pertains to the Church's divine constitution itself, in virtue of my ministry of confirming the brethren (cf. Lk 22:32) I declare that the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church's faithful."

Link to original...


You can e-mail Father Michael Landau, here: office@caritas-wien.at

Liberal Inbreeding at Vienese Diocesan Gathering: Pro-Homosexual Jesuit Praises Vienna's Cardinal

It's all so sad: The old Liberals have a new Hobby -- they've discovered that they really love the complaining and ado of victims.

[kreuz.net] Now it's clear, why the old liberal Vienese Cardinal has invited the old liberal Headmaster of the Berlin Jesuit School, Father Klaus Mertes, as as the speaker for the old liberal Vienese Diocesan Gathering. Father Mertes is a pope reviler and an apologist for homosexual fornication.

In Vienna he has the task of praising highly Christoph Cardinal Schönborn.

"For us in Germany, Vienna's outlook looks very encouraging" -- as he assigned himself as the speaker for an entire nation in his speech.

Germany has almost 82 Million inhabitants. According to information from the Germany Bishops' Conference there are 25 Million Catholics on paper.

With the sensitivity and respect of "one" who's been pursued from Germany, like "especially Cardinal Schönborn" in this -- anti=Catholic -- we "handled the storm", said the priest to about himself.

[As expected] His hymn of praise for the Cardinal, intoned agreement with the homosexual ideology in front of the 1,400 delegates from all Vienna parishes.

With an old liberal "communal penance" in the Stepensdom (St. Stephen's Cathedral), he explained the mechanism of the victim protection commission, the rapid disbursement of therapy- and damage payments and the the revision of Church guidelines were allegedly establishing "important accents" thanks to Cardinal Schönborn.

Critics accuse the Cardinal for not having the alleged abuses judged as criminal offenses, in accordance to the laws of the country.

In the supposed Victim Protection Commission, established by the Bishops there is a line of representatives are themselves enmeshed in actual child abuse cases.

But Father Mertes unperturbedly continued to discuss the Cardinal: "For that reason I'd like to thank you from my heart."[For putting possible sexual predators on these boards.]

The anti-Church media propaganda earlier this year was described by the naive Priest as "storm and cleaning".

The real problems, which the German conciliar Church in the past, which has led to bitter divides, the priest whisked under the table.

In place of this he directed people's attention to his favorite topic, the abuse cash cow, and promised the crowd to take this as a a real "opportunity".

He whipped up the cult of self-pity with sentimentality and promoted the "option for the poor" to transform into a "credible option for the victims"


Link to the original..kreuz.net...

Cardinal Schönborn Would like "Structural Reform" in the Church

Vienna's Archbishop at the Diocesean Meeting: Perhaps in the last years we have been too afraid to accept new forms of cooperation in promotion and management of the direction of communities. Community direction by the laity -- New: Now with POLL! [There's an internet Poll...you probably can't vote on whether or not the Church should allow birth cotrol or not, yet...]

Editor: Go down and vote on the poll if you want. The question is: What do you say about the ideas of Cardinal Schoenborn?

Yes, I think they're good.

I don't care

NO, I don't find them so grand!

Access and vote on the Poll here, vote Nein.

Presently, 71% of Kathnet's readership of 302 voters so far is not pleased with the Cardinals ideas of pushing the laity into a greater position of prominence and forming "small communities".

Vienna (kath.net/PEW) "Now is the moment to undertake changes. In ten years we will only suffer more": The Cardinal said this on Thursday afternoon in the Viennese Stepensdom at the opening of the 3rd Diocesan gathering in the scope of the initiative "Apostle History 2010"; about 1,450 delegates from parishes, Catholic organizations and ecclesiastical societies took part. "now we have the opportunity, but also the calling, to be counted and form ourselves in this rapid transformative process of the Church," said the Vienese Archbishop. At the same time he also hinted that there will also be in the future Diocesan meetings, will help to shape this process of transformation and manage change.

A "structural reform" is necessary, insisted the Cardinal. In the many diocese of Europe it is already happening. In many cases it will be accomplished by a "grid plan": In the French Diocese of Caracassone from a decreed 250 Pastors there were 17, in the Diocese of Bayeux-Lisieux from 250 Pastors 50. A similar situation has occured in German Diocese. In Vienna there must be a "Master Plan": inspire a structural reform and give sense and direction". At issue is a "master plan" that recogizes the "master" -- Jesus Christ -- and is oriented on His plan for the Church of Vienna.

For Jesus is always gathering men to Himeself. This "gathering" the Bishop sees as his primary job as Bishop, says Schönborn. The fundamental question for the Parish, the Community, the Orders, the movements is: "gathering around Jesus". That means simultaneously also, always deeper to go "into the school of life of Jesus". In the more recent history of the Archdiocese of Vienna there are always to be seen "enduring effective elements" of this "school of life". The Viennese Archbishop explained inter alia the Activist Cirlces of Catholic Youth and Catholic Action, the "Mondo Miglore" -Courses of P. Riccardo Lombardi in Rocca di Papa, the "Cursillo" - movement, but also the "Movimenti", the Movement of Base Communities "or simply a lively Parish community life". Here lay "the" priority of the "Master Plan", the quest for new and old ways of education of the baptized and confirmed Christians to discipleship. This could mean "Community".

The 3rd diocesan gathering will end with a "mission celebration", acounced by the Viennese Archbishop. The "Mission" is an expression of the common priesthood of all the baptized. Schönborn: "All structural reforms live and die in the measure in which they have togetherness and mission from the start to the benchmark."

Cardinal Schönborn formulated a five point plan in his opening speech. It starts to begin with preparedness, to engage in the "secular world" and to turn to those people, "who are not entering to sanctuary, but are definitely near to Him". Christians must accept the "religious diversity" for a fact, especially Islam, "and there again especially the youth of the Muslims". One important place are the many Christian churches. The Viennese Archbishop actually said: "The second largest religious group in Austria is not Islam, rather Eastern Christianity. More than 500,000 Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Christians live in Austria, many especially in Vienna. It is in our vital interest, to seek them out, to help them -- even with churches and structures. Here one must be moved, in Christian solidarity".

At the same time Schönborn addressed the diversity within the Catholic Church. The foreign language Catholic Communities -- "who make the picture of Vienna so colorful" -- are to be approached. They are an important part of the "future of the Church". Already, a good quarter of the Catholics have a transient background. There are also, however, for the collaboration of Parish Communities "in all variants of gathering" like Parish societies, Pastoral outreach, Leadership forms of Communities and Parishes. The Viennese Archbishop said: "We are expecting intensive work here, which will mean some pain, but also many new opportunities". Perhaps he has also been reluctant in the last few years, to allow and encourage new forms of cooperation in Communities, says Schönborn. Positive experiences had encouraged him to proceed further in this way. It is validated by the experiences of the world Church with "small Christian communities" to learn under the direction of the laity.

Link to original kath.net...


Related Articles:

Cardinal Schoenborn's Malice Spreads to Minneapolis... Dissident Priest cites his example with pride and stubbornness.

Local Minneapolis Priest Threatened with Excommunication: +Schönborn's Malice Spreads

In a letter to a local Minnesota paper, Father Michael Tegeder recently insisted, on October 3rd, upon demonstrating his resistance to Church teaching on homosexuality in defense of one of the Basilica of St.Mary's long-time (at least 12 years) promoters of sodomy, Lucinda Naylor. He isn't just "out on a limb" of dissidence, he's been steadfastly resisting Catholic teaching throughout his priestly career and it's amazing that he, like many other Priests, administrators, communications directors and teachers in the Archdiocese continue to hold their jobs and bloat the Archdiocese's payroll and will eventually have to be taken care of when they have to mercifully retire.

According to Father Tegeder, Archbishop Nienstedt had threatened him with interdict and excommunication already for the "cremation garden" at his (sinfully minimalist) suburban church. In response Father Tegeder provided the Archbishop with documentation suggesting he had complied with the Church's rules regarding burial of the dead; said practices and customs are, no doubt another victim of post-conciliar ambiguity. There seems to have been no repercussions for this priest who insults the company he works for and his boss with impunity, but he's been doing it for a long time and while it hasn't gone undocumented or unnoticed by others more vigilant than the Archdiocese's disciplinary authorities, it has certainly gone unpunished, with the predictable result that the perpetrator can set alternative standards for others to follow and inevitably be confused about.

Of greater interest is his reliance on Cardinal Schönborn as an improvised shield quoted here from NCR:

In his letter, Tegeder said it was "most scandalous" that Nienstedt "comprised his office with the use of anonymous money." He said the campaign leaves the impression "that political funding is at work here."

He also cited comments last spring, reported in the German press and in the British Catholic publication The Tablet, by Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna, who told an interviewer that the church "should give more consideration to the quality of homosexual relationships. A stable relationship is certainly better than if someone chooses to be promiscuous." The Tablet also reported that the cardinal said lasting gay relationships deserve respect.

++Schönborn, as Tegeder noted, is a close friend of Pope Benedict XVI and a principal author of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

In an interview Oct. 4 with NCR, Tegeder said he had received overwhelmingly positive response to his letter, but had not yet received any reaction from Nienstedt.

Link to article...

Photo: Taken in the spring of 2008 of America's First Basilica in Downtown Minneapolis

Archdiocese of Vienna: Jesuit Priest Gets Platform for Pro-Homosexual Views

The "in good standing", not uncontroversial Jesuit priest in the periphery of "Apostle History 2010" gets an open mike - Mertes described Pope Benedict as "hard of hearing" and said that the Church suffers from homophobia.

Wien (kath.net) The "in good standing", but not uncontroversial Jesuit Klaus Mertes will receive an open mike in the last days of the event organized by the Archdiocese of Vienna 'Apostelgeschichte 2010" (Apostle History 2010) and intends to hold his impulsive lecture on the theme "But you will receive the power of the Holy Ghost". Mertes has been increasingly concerned over the media's revelations in the last months. That being said, he's mentioned Pope Benedict in an interview: "I have great respect for Benedict XVI., because he has no fear in the face of the truth of what has been revealed in the sexual abuse crisis. I wish that he could find in critics of the Church more love for the Church". Then the Jesuit stated that the Pope is "hard of hearing" and that God also speaks through the "secular world" to the Church.

At the end of January 2010 he became concerned with revelations of homosexuality. Mertes had criticized the Church's handling of homosexuality in connection with the abuse scandal at his own Berlin Canisius College (he's its Rector)as the abuse scandal then got the ball rolling in the Church and then he claimed: "The Church suffers from Homophobia. Homosexuality is silenced. Clerics with this inclination are uncertain if they will receive a fair hearing and still be accepted."

Mertes was especially critical also of the foundation of the "Work Group of Engaged Catholics in Union" (AEK). It is inconceivable to him how one can as a Catholic in the CDU, express <> in such confessional-political fury publicly and continually, wrote Mertes in an article for the Berlin "Tagesspiegel". His opinion about the corresponding is not the spirit of the C in the CDU, so said the Publizist and Rector of the Berlin Jesuit Gymnasium (Preparatory High School) of Berlin's Canisius College. The Jesuit priest is a son of the CDU Politician and State Minister in the Foreign Ministry Office, Alois Mertes (1921-1985). The meeting is set to take place at St. Stephens Cathedral from the 14th to the 16th of October.

Link to original, kath.net...

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk meets with Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn

On September 22, 2010, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, DECR chairman, who is on a visit to Vienna for a meeting of the Joint Theological Commission for Dialogue Between the Roman Catholic Church and Orthodox Churches, met with the head of the Vienna archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn.

Metropolitan Hilarion told the cardinal about today’s life of the Russian Orthodox Church, the trips made by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia in Russia and far- and near-abroad countries, the Church’s missionary and educational work as well as the work of the Department for External Church Relations and some other Synodal institutions of the Moscow Patriarchate.

They discussed prospects for Orthodox-Catholic cooperation in Europe in general and a possibility for carrying out joint educational activities and youth events, in particular.

In conclusion of the talk, which was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere, Metropolitan Hilarion presented Cardinal Schoenborn with an icon of the Most Holy Mother of God.

Link to original...Russian Orthodox Church...

The Viennese Cardinal Capitulated to the Comrades

Editor: a beautiful chapel at an elder home where Holy Mass is said every day for the last fifty years, with murals by artist, Sepp Zöchling, is being threatened with destruction by the Community of Vienna.

The desire of the Vienna Blood-Burgermeister is the Head Shepherd's Command. He doesn't want to spoil it with his powerful comrades, not at any price.

[kreuz.net] The Archdiocese of Vienna will withdraw its complain against the threatened demolition of the Chapel in the Vienna Resthome Baumgarten, according to 'gloria.tv'.

Officially the responsibility for the scandalous decision goes to the low-profile Vienese Auxiliary Bishop Franz Scharl.

For certain there is no doubt that Christoph Cardinal Schönborn of Vienna has made -- which the Vienna media and Politicians themselves have been occupied for weeks -- by himself.

First, shortly before, the Archdiocese gave a Vienese attorney the mandate to bring a complaint and save the chapel.

For the church sits in the foreground of the Concordat of the Austrian Republic with the Vatican, securing rights of the chapel. Daily Masses have been celebrated there for over fifty years.

The Comrades had never presented their church-destroying plans before the court.

In any case, Cardinal Schönborn will relinquish these rights without a song or a cry.

Clearly, the Comrades have pulled the reigning Cardinal over the table in a no-fuss discussion in private.

Is the Archdiocese of Vienna Extort-able

According to information from 'gloria.tv' the Auxiliary Bishop Sharl met last week with the Director of the 'Vienna Hospital Network", Comrade Roland Paukner.

A speaker of the civil initiative to save the chapel declared in the meantime, that the initiative will be praying for "saintly shepherds".

There is still a petition running which you can sign o the website of the initiative, 'kapellen-retten.at'.

The Pope as Professor with His Students: More on Schülerkreis

Editor: the meeting is interesting, as we've said before, in light of the talks currently taking place each month with the Society of Pius X. It is hard to see, given the previous statements about statements which appear to capitulate the Church's previous positions to the modern world, will square with the resistance shown to the Society's representatives. The fact is, we don't know what is being said about Vatican II, but there is almost no doubt that the concerns that were realized by the Society of Pius X will be dealt with in this meeting and that whatever the Holy Father says, it promises to be met with the ire and contempt of the world press, which has certainly besieged the Castel Gandalfo in search of a premonition of what the Holy Father will conclude as a result of this meeting.

It's safe to say that the Pope will surprise and confound the media, whatever is decided here. The following is a report from kath.net in translation.


We are all always excited about the short view, which he, prizes from the respective themes, describing the Church throughout the world," said Bishop Jaschke. "Kathpress" - Report from correspondent Johannes Schidelko


Rome [kath.net/KAp] The regular meeting with the earlier students occured on loosely defined dates, which the earlier Professor Joseph Ratzinger has finally secured within the Papal Palace.

On each end of August Benedict XVI gathered-- each year at his summer residence Castelgandalfo -- more than a dozen theologians around him, who were advanced to the doctorate, who were promoted to doctoral degrees or collaborated as his assistants. Those who are in teaching or working as pastors, some as Bishops or Cardinals -- like Cardinal Christoph Schönborn.


For the 83 year old Pontiff, who has also written books and written scholarly works on the elevation of Cardinals and the election of Popes, the meeting with the Schulkreis is a reunion with old friends and companions. But it is also a brief return to old times, where he disputes in the academic Milieu, orders scholarly themes, answers and receives questions.

One of the participants is the Hamburg Auxiliary Bishop Hans Joachim Jaschke. Benedict XVI. had -- according to Jascke's estimation -- has hardly changed after five years on the throne of Peter. "He is always Joseph Ratzinger just as we know him: friendly and attentive", said Jaschke to the internet platform 'katolisch.de'. "The Pope remains a man of science with a high ability to absorb and is the best informed."

At these meetings held since 1977, scholarly controversies moved to the background, said the Auxiliary Bishop further. "We were always excited for the quick overview, which he prized from the respective themes about the situation of the Church throughout the world." At those times the summations and great assessments of the Pope were "genius", said Jaschke.

According to his impression, the Pope enjoyed being the professor again at these meetings. "I am very thankful therefore, that Benedict XVI. holds the trust of his students. He has a good view of each individual and shows him his personal esteem", said the Bishop.

The meeting will take place behind closed doors. But since the only teacher is the Pope, there is a great deal of interest outside. For on the agenda there are questions and themes, which (also) are important to the Pope himself. In the last years they dealt with Darwin and Evolution, on Islam or on Missions.

This time the Second Vatican Council and its reception in the contemporary time. One theme, that the only council adviser was completely occupied; he who even as Archbishop of Munich warned against an uncritical Conciliar Euphoria, which opposed the spirit and the letter of the Council against one another.

And there was little sympathy for the call for a third Council, because the second had not been thoroughly studied.

Reform, not a Break

As guest speaker this time Head of Ecumenical Office Archbishop Kurt Koch will speak for the Ratzinger-Schülerkreis. In both of his lectures on the Council between Tradition and Innovation demonstrates a correct meaning and interpretation of the Council in the net of reform, continuity and rupture.

Benedict XVI. had received a difficult reception and for which he prepared the correct layout of the Vatican Council Documents, ready for his first great speech to the Roman Curia. At the beginning of Christmas 2005 he spoke of a "Hermeneutic of Reform", which stood against a "Hermeneutic of Discontinuity". Firstly he worked for the renewal of the Church in Her time, while defending her continuity despite the risk of a second mountain between the pre-Conciliar and post-Conciliar Church.

Benedict XVI. refused to accept suppositions that the Conciliar text still didn't express the spirit of the Council, and that for this reason must necessitate further development with Elan.

His conclusion: The Second Vatican Council has newly affirmed the relationship between Faith and Church with fundamental elements of modern thought and several incorrect decisions of the past, newly reconsidered or even corrected.

But besides these apparent discontinuities the Church has protected and deepened Her real nature and her identity. "The Church was and is before and after the Council the same one, holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, which has found Its way through time," said the Pope.

The Dialogue with time must proceed, and namely in "the great openness to the Spirit, but also with clear discernment of spirits"; this is exactly what the world expects of the Church, warned Benedict XVI..

Indeed the Public and Media must not passed by. But in earlier years the texts of documentation was conclusively documented. Whether that is the case today or not remains unclear.

But the Schülerkreis is working for continuity. This time there are some young Doctors of theology becoming accredited, who are laboring on Ratzinger's publications, themes and theses. Shortly after, many students of the current Pope are gradually nearing retirement, then the circle will make of that new perspectives in the future.

Link to the original...

Holy Father Meets With Jesuits and Father Fessio at Schülerkereis

Pope Benedict XVI is meeting with Fr. Joseph Fessio, S.J., and...
... several other former students in his annual Schülerkereis at Castel Gandolfo. The topic for this gathering, which meets tomorrow and Saturday, is the hermeneutics of the Second Vatican Council. From Rome Reports:



From, Ignatius Insight, thanks to Good Jesuit, Bad Jesuit...

Priest Doesn't Show up for a Wedding, In Austria: Cardinal Schönborn Saves the Day!

The coupe was ready and dressed, the guess assembled in the church and the muicians were ready to play -- only the Priest wasn't there: The horror scenario happened to two betrothed in the Viennese neighborhood of Floridorf.

The pastor had completely forgotten the marriage. The 30 year old Iris and her 27 Year old partner [sic] were so angry after 8 months of planning and expectation that they threatened to leave the Church. Now the Archdiocese has promised to compensate the couple for the wedding, inclusive the blooming bridal bouquet, organist and church rent.

The abandoned couple estimate the costs of the Church wedding with 150 invited guests to be 2000 Euro says the Austrian daily "Heute". In order to prevent them from leaving the Church, Cardinal Schönborn is going to save the day by personally presiding at their wedding.

Original, here...

Wily Cardinal of Vienna Defends New Neocatholic Bishop of Eisenstadt

EF: Bishop Paul Iby, defender of heterodoxy, replaced by upgrade Neoconservative, "Child of Vatican II", but Vienna's Cardinal is eager to defend him.

Pope Benedict XVI has posted this Friday Agidius Zsifkovics as the new Bishop of Eisenstadt -- unease in the Austrian church over SPÖ (Socialist Party Austria) "commentating" on the naming -- Greetings of the new Bishop on kath.net.

Eisenstadt (kath.net) Pope Benedict has announced this Friday that Aegidius Zsifkovics is to be named as the new Bishop of Eisenstadt. This was reported by the Vatican this Friday. Zsifkoics was born on 16 April, 1963 in Guessing (Burgenland). His priestly ordination fell on 29 June, 1987 in Eisenstadt. In the time between 1987 to 1988 he was the episcopal secretary and finally from 1992-1999 Chair of the Chancellery. Since 1994 he's been pastor in Wulkaprodersdorf and since 1996 director of the department for the pastoral care of Croatian people. From 1996 he was also an author for the Croatian church paper, "Glasnik". From 1 February 1999 to 9 July 2010 he was the General Secretary of the Austrian Bishops' Conference.

Unease in episcopal circles was felt on Friday in the connection with the Episcopal announcement and the Burgeland- SPÖ (Socialist Party) for the departing Bishop Iby as a "great churchman" who had shown himself as a tireless reformer, who also did not shrink in terror, to draw clear positions on explosive themes -- catchword celibacy. "I hope, that his successor in the episcopal office will continue in this open course," said Defense Minister Norbert Darabos this Friday.

Bishop's Greetings on Kathnet

He describes himself as a child of the Vatican Council and promises to work without ideological bias, as well as the familiar approach to the ecumenism and a reminder of his own Croat heritage and experience as a pastor.

He didn't Defend the Linz Auxiliary Bishop like This!

This is the Proof: The old liberal Cardinal Schönborn of Vienna felt himself personally attacked and rushed to Eisenstadt for his named clone in whom otherwise would shun with an iron shod distance.

[Kreuz.net] The old liberal Archbishop of Vienna, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, had defended the current announcement of Msgr Zsifkovics as Bishop of Eisenstdt with a drawn sword.

The old liberal Cardinal took considerable and unusual umbrage over the neoconservative new Bishop.

There were "hard words" falling.

Most had no foundation in reality -- the Cardinal averred:

"I expressly repudiate the completely unqualified attacks, as they were hurtfully formulated by Professor [Fr] Paul Zuhlehner and Prelate Helmut Schuller.

Such 'distant diagnoses' could poison the Church's life" -- feigned the Intrigue-Cardinal.

It falls upon everyone, especially a newly named Bishop to receive good will.

The old liberal Cardinal compared the most recent naming indirectly to Father Gerhard Wagner as the Linz Auxiliary Bishop in January 2009:

"In this case the more conservative approach in the preparation of an episcopal announcement would be adhered to."

With "a more conservative approach" he means his personal involvement in the episcopal announcement of his country, by which a Catholic Linz Auxiliary Bishop's appointment could be impeded.

"The present Bishop of Eisenstadt is "a man of the middle", has written for a great Austrian Newspaper: So I have been collaborating with him for all of those years" -- exulted Cardinal Schönborn.

"Man of the middle" is the known self-identification of the old liberal faction for their own anti-Church functionaries.

The Cardinal is himself certain, that Bishop Zsifkovics, "will build bridges between the various mentalities, perceptions and lifestyles [EF says: Yeah] in the Church's domain.

He could on "build a good foundation lain by his predecessors [Msgr] Stefan Laszlo and [Msgr] Paul Iby."

Actually, Bishop Iby has left the Diocese of Eisenstadt in an indescribable Chaos.

Translation from kreuz.net, by EF...

EF says: The Cardinal is an enigma, but should it be so hard for Catholics to discern what he's doing? Perhaps not, but even a Pastor as clever as a serpent would be at greater pains to leave his sheep in no doubt about his love for Christ and willingness to die for the Church.

"Sein Kampf" Cardinal Schönborn's "brave" struggle: Guardian Op-Ed

The supposed chastisement of the Cardinal leaves Christa Pongratz-Lippitt feeling upbeat. Indeed, the Cardinal's mouthpiece managed to make statements which pointed out that he did not retract any of the statements he made, particularly the one where he said: "an enduring same-sex union is preferable to a series of encounters," telling the journalists that “a stable relationship is certainly better than if someone simply indulges in promiscuity.”

Would any other cardinal but Christoph Schönborn, the Archbishop of Vienna, have joined protesters against clerical sexual abuse in a reconciliation service in his own cathedral and spoken as he did – a service with the motto: "I am furious, God"?

Schönborn began by reading out a long and dramatic admission of the Church's guilt. He thanked the abuse victims for breaking their silence and said that abuse in the Church was particularly serious, because it defiled God's holy name. The Church must "get off its high horse", which was without doubt a painful process, he said, "but what is that pain compared to the victims' pain which we overlooked and did not hear?"

A month later, at a press briefing, Schönborn said that in meeting accusations from the general public that abuse cases had been hushed up, the Vatican had reacted "rather clumsily". He was remarkably outspoken about one of the most senior cardinals in the Catholic Church, Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State under Pope John Paul II and now dean of the College of Cardinals, who on Easter Sunday in the Pope's presence had called the reports of clerical sexual abuse "petty gossip".

Read further...

Liturgical Abuses by Cardinal Schönborn -- Wild West Theme Mass and Michael Jackson

This sacrilege is being presided over by the Cathedral Rector, Father Faber, who has presided over other horrors, like the funeral of Communist-Homosexual Sculptor, Alfred Hrdlicka and here.

Sitting around on beer tables complete with ashtrays, they cheerfully sang "We Are The Word" by Michael Jackson as a Communion Hymn.

According to Gloria TV, the Cardinal gave his blessing for the celebration and Father Faber described it as a "worthy setting".



Catholic Church Conservation: Third Wild Western Mass in Vienna- with the express blessing of the Cardinal

Cardinal Schönborn Buries Pornographer

The late Hans Dichant, editor of the street-magazine, 'The Crowns Times' [Die Kronen Zeitung] was known for his docility to the Cardinal's concerns, and the Cardinal praised his paper for being "friendly" to the Church in Austria, but little to no mention of the pornographic adds there, or indeed, the support Dichant gave to the late hyper-nationalist and Freemason, Jörg Haider. [Ewald Stadler maintains as much in 2007 in his lecture on Masonry in Linz.]

This is especially interesting in light of the Cardinal's high level meeting with the Holy Father, the Secretary of State and Dean of the College of Cardinals. Mercifully, Whispers in the Loggia mentioned Cardinal Schoenborn's pro-homosexual statement, which he wasn't required to retract, apparently, here, that the Church:

"should give more consideration to the quality of homosexual relationships," and that "a stable [same-sex] relationship is certainly better than if someone chooses to be promiscuous."

Father Z, here.

Here's what Kreuz.net had to say:

A Pious Work

When the the powerful die, everyone is there: The Viennese Cardinal has commended to God the dead promoter of depraved Porn and Prostitution Publications throughout the Land.

[Kreuz.net] On Saturday the Viennese Archbishop, Christoph Cardinal Schönborn, celebrated the Requiem for Hans Dichant (89).

The deceased was the editor and owner of boulevard paper "Crowns Times" [Die Kronen Zeitung].

With a circulation of over 800,000 sales it is an example of the most widely read newspapers in the land.

Cardinal Schönborn wrote for the turn style paper regularly and vacuous Sunday meditations.

Those close to the deceased took their place in the foremost rows of the St. Stephen's Cathedral which was separated from the rest of the church by a cord.

There was a strict ban on photography and film.

Only the photojournalists of the 'Crowns Times' [Die Kronen Zeitung] were allowed to light up the area of the ceremony.

The rest of the journalists had to be satisfied with seats way in the back.

The entire decadent Austrian politically prominent found themselves at the beginning as "honored guests".

Absent were the members of the anti-Church "Green" extremists and the officially fallen from catholicism, President Comrade Heinz Fischer.

Cardinal Schoenborn found positive words for the deceased as was generally expected.

The super-rich Dichant is said "to have been for the generation of Charity and Service".

It had been "not self-evident", that he found room for the Gospel in his porno and prostitution paper.

"He burned through the rest of the pages of the paper" -- the Cardinal let himself tear out an embarrassing comment.


He seemed not to care if he was ridiculed

After the death of "his employer" Cardinal Schoenborn had pulled together the heads of some jounrnalists, "in which he ostentatiously evaluated the positive role of the "Kronen Times' as if it belonged to media sanctity."

This was Michael Fleischhacker of the anti-Church paper 'Die Presse' on Sunday in a commentary:

"That he wrote in a paper, which as part of its profits as the largest broker between prostitutes and their customers, bothered the Cardinal only decidedly less than the civilized critique of his thesis for "Intelligent Design", which he heard about in some of the media.

For the Cardinal the Homo Sapiens was not just the end product of a Godless effect of random evolutionary processes, rather the crown of creation -- Fleischhacker correctly summarized:

"The Homo austriacus emerged, and was really completely without intelligent design, much more so the Creature of the 'Krone'."

At the burial service Fleischhacker found countless advocates for this marriage, especially among the attending politicians: "accommodating, soberly ascetic, resistant to truth."

Dichand had "fashioned" these human types "with power, grown great in affection and put on back on the right way by the withdrawal of love."

Fleschhacker understands: "That they are gathered at this religious service, in order to bid farewell to the man in a religious framework, who has made them, what they are, it is not for them to bring reproach."

At the same time the journalist weighs illusions: "It would nevertheless be ripe for such a thing as evolution in Austria now."

He added: "Perhaps the Viennese Cardinal can leave this to the subject of his beliefs on creation. At least it would be a pious work."

Slovenian and Austrian Bishop's Conference Meet to Discuss Sex Abuse

[Vienna] The theme of abuse will be at the center of the discussions of the Austrian Bishops' Conference which will meet at Mariazell Abbey for their summer meeting. On the table there's a comprehensive introductory document which will be discussed, which is the work of around 300 experts [Yikes] which project group is overseen by the Viennese Generalvikar Mosgr Franz Schuster, according to the media representative of the Episcopal Conference, Paul Wuthe. In its highlights the paper establishes clear guildlines for all ecclesiastical workers including orders for the prevention of sexual abuse and violence. "The goal is an Austria-wide standardization of procedures and with that, clarity", said Wuthe.

The proposals will include the establishment of a Church Ombundman and a reinforced collaboration of all ecclesiastical and state organizations with sexual abuse and violence.

A chief role in connection with the last months of well known cases of violence and abuse is played by the Independent Victim's Attorney Waltrud Klasnic and the Independent Victim's Defense Commission. From this basis Waltrud Klasnic will report on the developments in this area, according to Wuthe.

It is also the first time that the Bishops' Conference of Slovenia will meet with that of Austria. Cardinal Schoenborn and Archbishop Anton Stres (Laibach) are meeting on the 23rd of June at 1:00pm in the Abbot's Council at the Abbey of Mariazell, in order to hold a press conference. Shortly before there will be a photo oprrotunity for all participating Bishops in front of the Basilica.

Archbishop Anton Stres of Laibach, Slovenia, will preside over the Mass and preach the sermon.

Link to original...

Pink Slip from Rome: for Cardinal Schönborn

Pope Benedict should let the Vienna Archbishop, Cardinal Schönborn, in on his renewed astonishment.

[Kreuz.net] Benedict XVI has written the Archbishop of Vienna a letter.

The report is from Vaticanist, Andrew Tornielli on his BLOG, referring to the Italian paper, 'Il Foglio'.

The reason for the letter from Rome is the most recent attack of Cardinal Schönborn against his fellow Bishop, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Sodano.

The Vienese Cardinal had implicated him in an attempt to frustrate an investigation, which in was launched in the year 1995 against the then Vienese Cardinal Archbishop Hans Hermann Cardinal Groër (+2003).

In the most recent letter the Pope should express his astonishment at the declarations Cardinal Schönborn was to have expressed. This brought about a giant media uproar.

Tornielli wrote: "According to what I could say from experience, the letter was the second written because of the criticism against Cardinal Sodano, that the Pope had sent the Archbishop of Vienna, his friend and student."

And: "A first letter should have should have addressed the Medjugorje trip six months ago, and above all the explanations of Cardinal Schonborn once in Medjugorje.

Reader "Marco N' commented: "This 'fidgety', ubiquitous, inopportune in all of his inopportune comments and lover of orgiastic Homo-Painting should have earned a well-deserved telegram from the Pope."

Original article, here...

Cardinal Schonborn also missed a meeting with the Congregation of the Faith today with fifteen Cardinals three Archbishops and two Bishops. It's not considered a mark of trust and the local media are at a loss to explain the Cardinal's absence, except by pointing out that he has to attend a lecture given Canadian philosopher, Charles Taylor (78) on the theme "Leben wir in einem säkularen Zeitalter?"

Cardinal Schönborn Honors Dissident Group in Stepansdom

Despite his own criticism of 'We are Church' and that of his brother Bishops and the Spanish Bishops Conference, even, Cardinal Schönborn will host this group which by most estimates is nothing more than a different confession, certainly outside the Church. Kathnet won't come out and criticize Cardinal Schönborn for this, but perhaps even the people at Regnum Christi are starting to wonder about just who or what this Cardinal is about.

Vienna Cardinal Christoph Schönborn is invited with the controversial organization "We are Church" to a Penance Service in the Vienna Stepensdom.

Wien (kath.net) The Vienese Cardinal Schönborn will hold a meeting next week on Wednesday, the 31st of March, together with the controversial group "We are Church" (WSK) in the Stepensdom a complaint and penance service under the motto "I am angry, God". There will be victims of sexual violence by priests who will have the opportunity, to formulate their pain in the presence of the Cardinal. Hans Peter Hurka, the director of the Austrian Group, informed the "Presse" of this event on Sunday.

"We are Church" is not an officially recognized group of the Church and has in the past years increasingly made initiatives against the Church, which have been clearly rejected by Rome. The Diocese Regensburg reported "We are Church" in November 2006 as a "problematic splinter group". The Salzburg Archbishop Alois Kothgasserr has prohibited in 2005 the organization "We are Church" in the Cathedral Book Store from presenting a so-called "Pastoral Letter". Kothgasser then said, orally: "Who follows Christ, must also follow Peter, and whoever remains by Peter, there is also the Church." [Wow]

Even the Vienna Cardinal Christoph Schönborn had criticized the group on a number of occasions in the past. Among them, in 2003 he criticized the group at a press conference, that the Platform of an Initiative supported, belonged to a network of Freemasons, of the "European Humanity Federation", which seeks the omission of article 51 from the EU-Constitution. Article 51 is concerned with the status of the Church and cultural societies. It will have been stated that they respected and did not vitiate, that the Union will grant "according the legal status, to Church and religious Unities or Communities in the member states." Otherwise it is certain, that the Union led a "open, transparent and fair Dialog" with the Church. "This Dialog Clause was put into question by "We are Church", said Schönborn: "One wonders." It needs a "more specific and thorough explanation."

A number of other Bishops, like Archbishop Ludwig Schick who said that "Weisner and his confederates need to do penance and go to confession. 'We are Church' could tell everyone, that through the triple bonds of Faith, the Sacraments and the pious and obedient unity with Pope and Bishops, builds a church community. From this Communion, Weisner and his followers appear to have separated themselves."

Augsburg Bishop Walter Mixa said in 2003 clearly, "'We are Church' is not in the soil of the Catholic Church."

The famous Catholic journalist Guido Horst said in a commentary: "The church-whiners, who in the last years trusted themselves to the "spirit of the Council", were unfruitful. "We are Church" consists of a post-office box and an E-mail server, Church-People-Demanders, who found their organ in the public forum, are remaining today, grey and (spiritually) childless.

I am angry, God...Kath.net...