From Catholic Culture.org
The journalist whose in-depth interview with Pope Benedict XVI became the book Light of the World has dismissed a public protest by German-speaking theologians as “a rebellion in the nursing home.”
Peter Seewald told the Kath.net news agency that a highly-publicized statement of dissent-- signed by one-third of the theology professors at Catholic universities in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland—should not be interpreted as a popular uprising against Church teaching. Rather, he said, it is a protest by the same people who have caused a crisis in Catholic teaching.
The dissident theologians, Seewald charged, are seeking to remodel the Church in their own image, adapting Catholic teachings to popular standards. Their approach, he said, is to measure Church doctrines by the standards of popular opinion, putting themselves in the role of “chief priests of the Zeitgeist.”
In his acerbic remarks on the theologians’ public statement, Seewald referred to St. Paul’s words (2 Tim 4:3):
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachings to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths.
My comments:
I'm 57 and my good priest friend in Pensacola is 64. I asked him the other day why priests his generation are so stubborn about the reform of the reform within continuity. Being 64 he couldn't remember my question, so I repeated it. He finally answered that "It's my generation, we were the baby boomers and the me generation and we changed everything to the way we knew it should be. How dare anyone change it back. Now what was the question?"
I hate to say it, but we aging baby boomers are becoming somewhat pathetic. So sad to see the children of America's greatest generation babbling the way we are; it is sad indeed.
4 comments:
What is important is that the rouge group believes their numbers and influence are enough for a direct and open confrontation. More than likely they expect support from within the Vatican and believe that they are setting the ground work for change under the next Pope, a relatively near term event.
This is interesting to watch because B-XVI is also making assignments to the College of Cardinals that will choose his successor. The most dangerous thing that could happen is ascension of an advocate of Liberal Theology or the German School. The Baby Boomer generation will be eligible for that seat for many years as well as able to assign someone to it. That vulnerability will last at least until 2039. If the average reign is about 10 years, then we have to watch the planets align about two more times.
rcg
The scenario given by anonymous is indeed a possibility, but B16 seems to be a cool-headed man from good stock enjoying good health. I often fear that I will one day turn on my browser and read his obituary, but it is also possible that he could live for many more years.
Personally, I think our next (last, if you listen to St. Malachi) pope was elevated in the last consistory. I'll leave it at that.
I was not forecasting the death of the Pope, rather the cynical nature of his opposition. I also agree that he is very wise and a good strategist in the manner in which has made elevations.
rcg
I suspect those rebels without cause object to papal infallibility but at the same time believe in their own infallibility. The original sin of pride remains ever with us.
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