- Feb 5, 2002
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What is the new Pope's position on church reforms? The German Cardinal Reinhard Marx is of the opinion that Leo XIV is quite open in many respects, including celibacy.
Munich Cardinal Reinhard Marx believes that the new Pope may be able to relax celibacy requirements. "First of all, it's about positively evaluating and protecting celibacy as a way of life," Marx said in an interview with the "Münchner Merkur" and "tz" (Saturday). He added: "But should the priesthood be limited to celibate men? Do we really see all the vocations God gives us? Or are we blocking ourselves here?" The door to this discussion is not closed, Marx said; and: "I don't think Pope Leo is completely set in his ways on this. He has basic experience, especially in Latin America."
When asked whether the Pope could allow different speeds in the implementation of reforms, Marx said: "I think he's open to it for now." There are many expectations. "Some in Germany think we would introduce a kind of church assembly like a parliament or a democracy," Marx said. Others would prefer to return to the past and forget everything about the Synodal Path. Marx: "I don't see either. We have a structure of the Church in which the Bishops bear a special responsibility. That won't be abolished."
The cardinal added: "But we need more synodality; that is, the inclusion of everyone in the service of the Church. How we can organize that is open." For many in the universal Church, this is new territory. He sees Munich-Freising on the right track. "If, as Archbishop, I do not identify any serious problems in theological and pastoral questions, then I am prepared to follow a recommendation from our Synodal body passed by a two-thirds majority," Marx said. But: "What Rome would rather not have – and I am skeptical about this too – is a national body that dictates to me as Bishop and to us in the Archdiocese what we should do."
Continued below.
Munich Cardinal Reinhard Marx believes that the new Pope may be able to relax celibacy requirements. "First of all, it's about positively evaluating and protecting celibacy as a way of life," Marx said in an interview with the "Münchner Merkur" and "tz" (Saturday). He added: "But should the priesthood be limited to celibate men? Do we really see all the vocations God gives us? Or are we blocking ourselves here?" The door to this discussion is not closed, Marx said; and: "I don't think Pope Leo is completely set in his ways on this. He has basic experience, especially in Latin America."
When asked whether the Pope could allow different speeds in the implementation of reforms, Marx said: "I think he's open to it for now." There are many expectations. "Some in Germany think we would introduce a kind of church assembly like a parliament or a democracy," Marx said. Others would prefer to return to the past and forget everything about the Synodal Path. Marx: "I don't see either. We have a structure of the Church in which the Bishops bear a special responsibility. That won't be abolished."
The cardinal added: "But we need more synodality; that is, the inclusion of everyone in the service of the Church. How we can organize that is open." For many in the universal Church, this is new territory. He sees Munich-Freising on the right track. "If, as Archbishop, I do not identify any serious problems in theological and pastoral questions, then I am prepared to follow a recommendation from our Synodal body passed by a two-thirds majority," Marx said. But: "What Rome would rather not have – and I am skeptical about this too – is a national body that dictates to me as Bishop and to us in the Archdiocese what we should do."
Continued below.
