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In an interview Cardinal Parolin: 'A ceasefire, first step for peace in Ukraine' - Vatican News posted today, Cardinal Pietro Parolin expressed opposition to the German bishops’ decision to offer blessings for same-sex unions. So far, so good. But the reasons that the Vatican Secretary of State gave for that opposition are troubling.
Cardinal Parolin said that the German episcopal conference “cannot make such a decision that involves the discipline of the universal Church.”
Well, first of all, the German bishops did make that decision. The German bishops voted 38-9 in favor the statement passed by the Synodal Path, “Blessing ceremonies for couples who love each other.” When he says that the German bishops “cannot” make that decision, presumably Cardinal Parolin means that they do not have the authority to do so. But with or without proper authority, the clear majority of German bishops have given their support for the measure, and thrown their support behind the Synodal Path.
So now what?
The German bishops (the majority, at least) have done what they have no right to do. How will the Vatican react? To date the statements from Rome—including this statement by Cardinal Parolin—have been cautious, measured, obviously designed to avoid a confrontation. But the German bishops have ignored the counsels of caution and pressed the issue. Cardinal Walter Kasper—no stodgy conservative—has characterized the Synodal Path as an “attempted coup,” and warned that the German hierarchy is on the brink of schism. The cautionary statements from Rome are now routinely ignored. Sooner or later the Vatican must draw the line.
But there is another disturbing note in Cardinal Parolin’s statement. He says that the German hierarchy “cannot make such a decision that involves the discipline of the universal Church.” The discipline of the Church—as opposed to the doctrine? Perhaps the cardinal misspoke, or perhaps the translation is faulty. But Cardinal Parolin is usually quite careful with his words, and this is the official translation from Vatican News.
Continued below.
www.catholicculture.org
Cardinal Parolin said that the German episcopal conference “cannot make such a decision that involves the discipline of the universal Church.”
Well, first of all, the German bishops did make that decision. The German bishops voted 38-9 in favor the statement passed by the Synodal Path, “Blessing ceremonies for couples who love each other.” When he says that the German bishops “cannot” make that decision, presumably Cardinal Parolin means that they do not have the authority to do so. But with or without proper authority, the clear majority of German bishops have given their support for the measure, and thrown their support behind the Synodal Path.
So now what?
The German bishops (the majority, at least) have done what they have no right to do. How will the Vatican react? To date the statements from Rome—including this statement by Cardinal Parolin—have been cautious, measured, obviously designed to avoid a confrontation. But the German bishops have ignored the counsels of caution and pressed the issue. Cardinal Walter Kasper—no stodgy conservative—has characterized the Synodal Path as an “attempted coup,” and warned that the German hierarchy is on the brink of schism. The cautionary statements from Rome are now routinely ignored. Sooner or later the Vatican must draw the line.
But there is another disturbing note in Cardinal Parolin’s statement. He says that the German hierarchy “cannot make such a decision that involves the discipline of the universal Church.” The discipline of the Church—as opposed to the doctrine? Perhaps the cardinal misspoke, or perhaps the translation is faulty. But Cardinal Parolin is usually quite careful with his words, and this is the official translation from Vatican News.
Continued below.
The Vatican’s irresolute response to the threat of German schism
The German proposal does treat same-sex partnerships as analogous to marriage— as unions that should be blessed. Yet the CDF said that such unions cannot be blessed.
www.catholicculture.org
