The premises that Pope Francis has before him have found further confirmation the critical period of his second phase of pontificate and the horizon indicates a storm in the middle conservatives and orthodox against the progressive galaxy which Francis claims.
A new, presumably divisive fact has come to light after the scandal caused by the open accusations launched against the pontiff by archbishop Georg Gaenswein, after the death of pope emeritus Joseph Ratzinger, of whom he was personal secretary for many years.
A month ago, news began to appear on Catholic sites, especially conservative but also in the progressive galaxy: he is about to be appointed Guardian of Catholic Orthodoxy, i.e. Prefect of the Doctrine of the Faith, the bishop of HildesheimGerman, Monsignor Heiner Wilmer (61 years old), which Francis consecrated in 2018.
The Pope does not announce his appointments in the Vatican, nor does he comment on them, as is appropriate his status as absolute ruler by divine right.
No one then denies or affirms with certainty that a high prelate like Wilmer, committed to a progressive orientation of the Synodal Path of the German bishops who are causing a strong jolt in the Church, is the candidate for an office of the utmost importance in the Holy See.
Suffice it to recall that for many years the German cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was the guardian of orthodoxy and discipline. Right arm of Pope Saint John Paul II who reigned for almost 27 years and whom Ratzinger replaced in the papacy as Benedict XVI in April 2005 until his resignation from the pontificate in February 2013.
Another who held the position was the German cardinal Gerhard Muller, who in the five-year period he held the position he clashed several times with Pope Francis for theological interpretations and other important matters. When the five-year term of his mandate has expired the Pope did not renew it.
Also, Francisco left him hanging without any new appointments. Muller is perhaps the most prestigious theologian and today he divides his time between lecturing around the world and editing the theological works of Joseph Ratzinger.
His line is there hostile doctrinal orthodoxy to the reformist aspirations of Jorge Bergoglio. But Muller swears and swears that “I am not an enemy of the Pope” and does not participate in conservative conspiracies although I agree with some of his suggestions.
On July 1, the mandate of Cardinal Muller’s successor, the Spanish cardinal, expires Louis Ladariawho has also clashed on some issues with the Argentine Pope and it is believed so it will not be confirmed for another five years.
The storm grows and the controversies spread over the infinite networks of the Internet. One of those titles that “an unorthodox German he will be the guardian of orthodoxy”.
Heimer’s thought
But is it that strong? “detour into heresy” of Bishop Heimer, who for many is leading the majority of the German episcopate and clergy towards a schism?
Youthful looking, Heimer he is regarded as an outstanding talent which ensured his passage to the bishopric and his becoming Superior of the priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, an important order of the Church.
A position taken by him made public is enough to make, according to the conservatives, his appointment is impossible as guardian of Catholic orthodoxy. In an interview with the newspaper Suddeusche Zetung of Munich, said: “I am passionately happy to be a celibate religious, but I think that celibacy can be even brighter if it wasn’t mandatory for all the clergy”.
He also said in another interview that “the abuse of power is in the Church’s DNA. According to Archbishop Heimer, this fact really requires a radical change. There are not only sinful individuals but also “evil structures” in the Church as a community. To curb the evil of the Church, it is also necessary to separate the powers within it.
We must say goodbye to the fiction that the Church is pure and immaculate“, accurate.
Two months ago Monsignor Wilmer held an audience of hours with the Pope and the central theme of the dialogue was the German Synodal Path. The Pope has tried in various ways to contain the most reformist impulses because he knows that some proposals, which he himself rejected, can cause an internal earthquake in the Church with very serious consequences.
A document on sexual morality
Archbishop Wilmer spoke to the pontiff about the recent vote on the basic document on sexual morality, which fell short of the two-thirds of the German Synod needed to be approved.
Among other explosive topics, the document raises the admission of same-sex blessings“self-stimulating” sexuality, sexual relations outside marriage and the need for a masterly revaluation of homosexuality.
Bishop Wilmer spoke in favor of approving the document open a broad debate on issues of sexual morality. He said the vote that prevented the approval “is a real brake who wants to renew the Church”.
He added: “It cannot be that the teachings of the Church hurt or discriminate against people.”
It must be taken into account that it was also included in the Synodal Path the thorniest questionwhich is the access of women to the priesthood.
The “gossip” The Vatican meetings extended by social networks agreed on this the appointment has been postponedscheduled for mid-December. It did not take place due to poor health and the death on December 31 of Benedict XVI, Joseph Ratzinger.
The pressure of (many) cardinals
A “murmur” insists that the appointment of Bishop Wilmer as Prefect of the Doctrine of the Faith did not materialize due to a mobilization of a large group of cardinals before the Pope to avoid it.
The decisive role would have been played by Cardinal Gerhard Muller. than with the support of a good number of members of the College of Cardinals managed to convince Franciso to avoid the appointment.
Francis’ resignation
In the next months the issue of resignation will be re-examined which the Pope reserves the right to announce “at the right moment”, in a period that goes from this year to the Jubilee Year 2025.
Three years is enough, but Jorge Bergoglio must carefully manage the timing of the interlocking mechanism of his organized succession.
It’s an elaborate winding maneuver that also goes through the appointments of several cardinals which ensure him an absolute majority of cardinals created by him and identified with his pontificate, destined to suffer more and more attacks from the conservative and traditionalist sectors who contest his reign.
Vatican correspondent
ap
Source: Clarin
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.