A recent interview of Uta Ranke-Heinemann by Jane Paulick of Deutsche Welle-World of Germany over the recent decision by Cardinal Karl Lehmann to resign as head of the German Bishops' Conference, should leave no doubt why she would incur the medicinal penalty of excommunication:
...In 1987 he became head of the Bishops' Conference, and this was the year I lost my professorship because I quoted Rahner's views on the Virgin Birth. When I turned to Lehmann for help, he failed to respond. He clearly has one opinion for theology professors and another for the flock. So while I consider Lehmann likeable, I believe that he is a master of the double standard. On a number of key issues, he has one truth for the pope and the simple-minded, and another for theology professors such as Karl Rahner.
Which ones?
The question of the Virgin Birth, use of condoms, abortion from the moment of conception. Personally I am against abortion, but not from the first moment of conception. Lehmann on the other hand called an embryo that's just seconds old an individual, i.e. something indivisible, which is scientific nonsense. Other issues include the Catholic practice of the devil and exorcism under John Paul II and his successor Benedict XVI, which Lehmann happily goes along with....
Which reforms do you think the Catholic Church needs most?
The pope should not be infallible. But I'm pessimistic. This will never happen. Nothing will change. Anyone who doubts the anti-abortion and anti-condom stance, for example, will simply never be allowed to become a bishop.
What a theologian!
No comments:
Post a Comment