In an Open letter to the Chairman of the German bishops ‘ conference, nine theologians, and politicians call for reforms in the Catholic Church. Among other things, they demand the abolition of celibacy.
More humility and at the same time more tolerance. These are the prompts, which have raised a number of significant theologians in an Open letter to Reinhard cardinal Marx, Chairman of the German bishops ‘ conference. “To bind himself by a real separation of powers – that fits better to the humility of Christ, and in the context of all applicable laws”, – stated in the in the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” published Writing. “From the Peaks of the ordained Ministry and open it up for women. Ask the diocesan, the choice of your life free of the priests form, in order for the celibacy can refer credibly to the Kingdom of heaven.”
Signed the letter have Ansgar Wucherpfennig, rector of the Philosophical-Theological University Sankt Georgen in Frankfurt; the Jesuit father Klaus Mertes, who made 2010 as rector of the Berlin Canisius-Kolleg abuse cases to the public; the Frankfurt city Dean John Graf von und zu Eltz, a critic of the former Limburg Bishop Tebartz-van Elst; Gaby Hagemans, Director of the Caritas Frankfurt; Bettina Jarasch, a Board member of the party Alliance 90/The Greens, Claudia Lücking-Michel, Vice-President of the Central Committee of German Catholics; Dagmar Mensink, Spokeswoman of the Central Council of Catholics for political and ethical questions, as well as the Catholic philosopher of religion, Jörg Splett.
“Abuse has a systemic reasons”
On the occasion of the letter from Pope Francis for the end of February, scheduled appearance of the Chairman of all bishops ‘ conferences to advise about the consequences of the abuse scandals of the past few years.
The signatories of the letter ask cardinal Marx, to bring the “main output” of a in the fall of 2018 in Fulda presented abuse study: “in our Church also systemic reasons for abuse. The temptation of clericalism follows the clergy, like a shadow. The prospect of Power in men’s frets attracts people from risk groups. Sexual taboos are blocking the necessary clarification and maturation processes.”
For years of persistent Protest against abuse: vigil of 2010
Study of the abuse
The study was presented in September 2018. According to her, the acts of the 27 German dioceses contained in 1670 clerics, information on allegations of sexual abuse of minors – the equivalent of, these were 4.4 percent of all clerics. These people abused 3677 children, two-thirds of them were boys. A good half was the first abuse of not more than thirteen years old. In addition, the study determined that the proportion of clergy with a homosexual orientation are significantly high. Another result Of the abuse have been significantly accused of more diocesan priests than deacons. Deacons are not subject to the obligation to celibacy. The researchers also suspect that the actual number of perpetrators and those Affected was much larger, because many cases were never recorded in the files.
Finally, it is stated in the study, sexual abuse is also abuse of Power. The researchers referred to the “clericalism” as a “hierarchical, authoritarian System, this can lead the priest to a position to dominate non-consecrated persons in interactions, because he holds by virtue of their office, and ordination to a higher-level Position”. Sexual abuse is an extreme outgrowth of this domination. In the case of Church leaders such Amtsverständnis result is that they see sexual abuse as a threat to the clerical system, deeds are covered up and the offender are covered. In more than half of the cases studied, no Church proceedings had been initiated.
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Abuse victims in Germany
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Study: thousands of abuse victims in Germany
“Joy in the Faith is stunted”
Against this Background, the signatories appeal to the German bishops, the diocesan, the choice of their form of life, priests are free – “so, celibacy can refer credibly to the Kingdom of heaven”.
With regard to the abuse scandal in the Church, Marx had appealed only Recently, to take this opportunity to “responsibility”. He saw the Church also at a turning point arrived.
The group of critics argues for a “reboot with the sexual morality”, including a “judicious and fair assessment of homosexuality”.
Generally speaking a signatory of a depressed mood in the parishes: “The sun of righteousness no longer comes through. Under a leaden sky, the joy of the Faith atrophies.”
