German cardinal rejects 'nonsense' request for Confirmation in extraordinary form

CWN - May 26, 2011

A German cardinal has said that it is "nonsense" for Catholics to seek Confirmation in the traditional rite.

Cardinal Karl Lehmann on Mainz, the former president of the German bishops' conference, said that he is following the directions of Pope Benedict XVI, and making the extraordinary form available to the faithful in his archdiocese in "5 or 6" churches. But he indicated that he thought Catholics were going too far when they asked to use the traditional liturgy for Confirmation. "I will not do it," he said bluntly.

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  • Posted by: hartwood01 - May. 27, 2011 1:08 AM ET USA

    Confirmation in our church recently was hard to get enthusiastic about. It was served up with the usual Youth Mass music, meaning guitars and heavy on the drums. A real teen-nightclub sound, without strobe lights. I was embarrassed to have our Cardinal witness this. I guess this is the way Confirmation is done. Much as I dread the return to the Tridentine mass, it would have been preferable to the former.

  • Posted by: Obregon - May. 26, 2011 10:31 PM ET USA

    Didn't Pius XI remind Cardinal Innitzer of Austria once who was in charge of the Church? Perhaps Benedict XVI should now remind Cardinal Karl Lehmann who is in charge of the Church now. Given the last document, I don't think the faithful need the consent of the good Cardinal to ask for Confirmation in the traditional form. His Holiness could call the Cardinal and speak to him forcefully in plain German!

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