Priests blast Vatican for naming ultraconservative Austrian bishop
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Vienna - Catholic priests in Austria on Sunday criticized the Vatican for naming an ultraconservative priest as auxiliary bishop in Linz on Saturday without having consulted the local church. The designated bishop, Gerhard Wagner, has made headlines in the past when he condemned JK Rowling's Harry Potter books for its "satanist" content. He also suggested in 2005 that Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment, as it destroyed five abortion clinics as well as nightclubs in New Orleans. "I am not very happy about this, since I get the general impression that there was no attempt to communicate with the diocese," Hans Padinger, spokesman of the priests in Linz, told Austrian broadcaster ORF. The town of Linz is the seat of one of Austria's seven dioceses, or territorial units of the Catholic church. Franz Wild was one priest who voiced even sharper criticism. "I am shocked by this decision," he told the regional paper "Oberoesterreichische Rundschau." "I hope the church realizes that we live in the 21st century and that the church must live in that period, too," he said. A significant portion of Austrian Catholics see themselves as more liberal than the Vatican, opposing Rome's views on abortion, homosexuality or the ban on married priests. The dispute came amid the controversy over the rehabilitation Holocaust denier Bishop Richard Williamson by German Pope Benedict XVI. Even the governor of the Upper Austria province, of which Linz is the capital, expressed his dissatisfaction. "This indicates that Rome has an impression of the diocese that I think is far removed from reality," Governor Josef Puehringer said. Meanwhile, the controversial priest remained unperturbed amid the dispute. "I am someone who downright seeks controversy," Wagner said Saturday. He is to be ordained on March 22.
Copyright DPA
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Obediance and Responsibility
By:
Joe Gayda ,
Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:38:06 GMT
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THe fact that the Pope doesn't take orders from the priests who have vowed to serve God (not just the Pope) doesn't mean he cannot take advice from them, nor should they refrain from offering it when it is clear that at the least a mistake was made, and at worst the ultra-conservatives in the Vatican have tried to remake the church in their own image.
For anyone to blame the destruction and death of many innocents on God exacting Justice for the sins of others presents a picture of God that the Church probably doesn't want to claim. A church in Kansas says that US soldiers dying in Iraq are dying because America tolerates Gays. People generally think they are crazy, just what the Pope doesn't want said of the Church.
Wagner's attacks on Harry Potter suggest he is either incredibly foolish or demented. Or he just wants attention. Unfortunately he apparently didn't get enough from the Vatican before he was selected for elevation. The fact that it would seem there was no local contact surely speaks to the arrogance of those who endorsed his appointment to the Pope. I guess they don't care what might be going on, sort of like in the American abuse cases.
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Amazed at Media Reaction
By:
Binoy A. Mathew ,
Wed, 04 Feb 2009 10:48:26 GMT
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This is what really amazes me, the media - who at least should be neutral in things they have no knowledge (or maybe half baked truths - which is even more harmful than good), have given a completely one-sided opinion. This is just another example of how the media twists the facts of the case and presents it in a way that it creates the wrong impression in minds.
For clarity sake - I give my views. While the world might admire abortion, homosexuality, divorce and other abnormalities - claiming to be modern, the world forgets, that these were practises ancient and primitive. For any justification, I might ask you to read authentic history books. These practises were condemned by JESUS CHRIST. Hence do you expect the Pope, to follow CHRIST or you? I think Pope should follow CHRIST, what is your opinion? If you are a Christian (not just namesake), then you do believe that GOD doesn't change - in essence practices like abortion(and infanticide), divorce, homosexuality, etc, was practised very prevalently, which had caused the wrath of GOD to come down, not just on Sodom & Gomorrah, but also at the time of Noah.
Infact the very title of your article, 'Priests blast Vatican for naming naming ultraconservative Austrian bishop', its like saying that your kid is blasting your grandfather! Infact its worse- have you ever witnessed the ordination of a priest? The priest pledges obedience to his Bishop and to the Pope. Hence the very title is evidence that you've got to interview some priests who cannot even keep a pledge! In a court of law, if you give your word and you change it, I think thats punishable by law (not that I'm advocating that it should be done), but you should understand, when people step out of bounds - do not encourage it and if disciplinary action is taken, within the rules of the Church, you cannot object. If this were about some civil court case and you give inflamatory comments, you would be liable for contempt of court!
Hence, let us first look at the facts of the story and (at least) give a neutral story/outlook.
Understand - the Pope is answerable to GOD not the Priests under him, but the Priests under him are answerable to him.
GOD BLESS YOU!
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The Pope and his recent appointments
By:
Larry ,
Mon, 02 Feb 2009 22:30:32 GMT
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It shouldn't surprise anyone that the current pope, having been an active Nazi supporter in his youth, would assign guy who denies any Holocaust....and now, the second assignment of a fellow who says Hurr. Katrina came about because of sin.... The pope is not behaving as a catalyst to uniting people in peace & love, but as a wedge...and supporting hate and extremism. The pope's ultra-conservative, extremist views are archaic and, like the organization he heads, will continue to become an anathema in modern society.
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