(Reuters) - The Vatican has appointed the archbishop of Berlin, seen by German media as part of a "new generation" of less dogmatic clergy, to take over the Cologne archdiocese, the largest and richest in Germany, it said on Friday.
The move makes Rainer Maria Woelki, who turns 58 next month, one of the most influential Roman Catholic cardinals and is an indication of the type of person Pope Francis wants to see in prominent Church roles.
Berlin's Tagesspiegel newspaper called him "the prototype of a new generation of bishops ... not grumpy and dogmatic ... these men speak of mercy and mean it. They're open to people, even their critics, to a point and have a heart for the disadvantaged. Still, they're theologically conservative."
In 2012, he said: "If two homosexuals take responsibility for each other, if they are loyal to each other over the long term, then one should see this in the same way as heterosexual relations." - Source
UPDATE:
The Cardinal's statement was clarified/explained back in 2012:
Many thanks to a reader who supplied the link.Press Secretary Stefan Förner explained that media reports had severely truncated [the Cardinal's] words. It is the Cardinal’s desire that homosexuals are “not discriminated against.”The press secretary then explained [the Cardinal's statements] word for word to KATH.NET: “Cardinal Woelki set long-term homosexual relationships in which two people have already made a life-long commitment to one another in relation to [certain] heterosexual relationships which indeed are not in any case “in [proper] Catholic order” (the unmarried, those lacking commitment, etc.). A comparison with sacramental marriage between man and wife was absolutely not the theme.”Press secretary Förner explained in concluding to KATH.NET: “Sacramental marriage between man and woman retains its special role. I see no cause for confusion.” - American Conservative
That about covers it.
ONE MORE UPDATE:
Diane at Te Deum has the last word on this here: No, Cardinal Woelki didn't say that. (Part 2)
H/T Creative Minority Report
Let them say what they will, I will continue to believe and support what the Church has always taught. If folks want to water stuff down stuff "to suit the times" they have a bigger, more perfect judgement to face than we poor, ignorant folk. I am sure the Defender of the Faith, Cardinal Mueller, (whom I like very much, by the way) will have something to say about his fellow German prelate if this quote makes the headlines as his mantra.
ReplyDeleteTerry, do not lose hope! Stay the course! We are praying for you. <3
Don't worry - God willing, I won't give up hope and I will stay the course. Thanks.
DeleteI believe, at one time, there were far more Arian bishops and priests than orthodox Catholic bishops and priests in certain parts of the world. We survived that and we shall survive this. The Gates of Hell will not prevail, but they may stub our toes.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jericho - As John Paul said - "Be not afraid." Thank God the Church has Courage Apostolate.
DeleteWe must remember how the press likes to take comments out of context. This, I think, helps with context:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/berlin-cardinal-ja-to-gay-relationship/
The press secretary then explained [the Cardinal's statements] word for word to KATH.NET: “Cardinal Woelki set long-term homosexual relationships in which two people have already made a life-long commitment to one another in relation to [certain] heterosexual relationships which indeed are not in any case “in [proper] Catholic order” (the unmarried, those lacking commitment, etc.). A comparison with sacramental marriage between man and wife was absolutely not the theme.”
Thanks very much for the clarification of the Cardinal's statement. It seemed a complete betrayal of statements he had made at another time which were in keeping with the Church.
DeleteThis brings home the lesson there is media campaign to distort what Church leaders say - or to edit in favor of the zeitgeist - a tactic used to undermine solid teaching and respect for the hierarchy. It also makes me feel like a complete idiot for holding to Catholic teaching and falling for disingenuous press reports.
Thanks very much.
Nah...you are not alone in taking the "news" as truth, I fell for it too and then read more up on it last night while at work. Glad I did because I wondered how the Cardinal could be a "protege" (as reported) and hold the misquotes/out of context stuff attributed to him.
DeleteThanks be to God the news was revealed to be nothing but lies.
How does the cardinal's statement square with the fact/Catholic understanding of natural marriage? Unbaptized men and women form natural as opposed to sacramental marriages while same-sex couples can never form a natural marriage. Those relationships are not the same as natural marriages nor do they have the dignity of a natural marriage. This is not an idle or academic issue--most marriages since the beginning of time and even today have been/are natural marriages.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to ignore the Cardinal. Tune him out. Pretend he doesn't exist. I'm going to be like the guy in "Life Is Beautiful".
DeleteAmen! A couple years ago I loved playing the armchair head of the CDF. Now I hate it. Thank God for spiritual progress...
ReplyDeleteScott - what I mean is that I'm going to try and avoid reacting to news reports that sound completely contrary to what a Cardinal SB saying. And if I still don't get it after getting the full story - I'll try to let it pass and keep my eyes fixed on Jesus alone - no matter what. I know Catholic teaching on faith and morals cannot change - even if people say it can. I know you know what I mean.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update and clarification, Terry. I think this shows how incredibly important it is that when we see something on the Internet which seems to slam someone in the hierarchy for talking against Church teaching, we must not jump to the conclusions. Step back, ask yourself if there is something you are missing or if the story is missing something. It has been my experience that 9 times out of 10, the story is a misrepresentation of the true facts. The Internet can be a very dangerous place to our faith.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct. It was depressing when I first read it then a kind commenter linked to the actual statement by the chancery. If there is any conspiracy against the Church I'd say MSM plays a huge role in creating division and sowing doubt.
DeleteBrook - I used to jump the gun a lot until I started asking Richard Chonak for translations of things I was finding if the auto-translate was questionable, or if there was big controversy over it. So many times I was certain that a translated piece said apple when it actually said orange. And this wasn't just auto-translator stuff. Not all human translators are equal, as we've seen. Richard is pretty good. So, thanks to him we have that second interview.
DeleteI think I lost my comment when it asked me to sign in so if this is a duplicate, my apologies.
ReplyDeleteI found a later interview with Cardinal Woelki late last night and Richard Chonak translated it. Here is my post which then leads to Richard's translation. http://te-deum.blogspot.com/2014/07/no-cardinal-woelki-didnt-say-that-part-2.html
Thanks Diane - I'll check it out and update here accordingly.
DeleteYou should know by now that Catholic blogs are the worst sources for news on Church things, Terry. That's the first thing I learned during my sabloggital.
ReplyDeleteThe second thing I learned while on sabloggital is that I have a wife and 2 sons. Imagine that!
Diane did yeoman's work on clarifying the issue. She should be on Patheos.
I knew that.
DeleteI knew that.
I know that.
I din't say that.
No I didn't.
You said that.