Cardinal Kasper claims majority support
October 23, 2014
Cardinal Walter Kasper has claimed that although the final votes at the Synod of Bishops were “totally weird,” a majority of bishops would favor his proposal to allow Communion for Catholics who are divorced and remarried.
In an interview with Die Welt, Cardinal Kasper also predicted that the Church will “achieve a wide consensus and make a step toward homosexuals.”
Questioned about the widespread perception that he speaks for Pope Francis, the German cardinal gave an ambivalent answer. He said that “I would not call myself ‘a confidante of the Pope.’” But on the question of Communion for divorced and remarried Catholics, he added: “He [the Pope] has let me know several times that he wants an opening.”
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Posted by: bernie4871 -
Oct. 24, 2014 12:25 PM ET USA
I'm starting to feel a bit sick to my stomach. A loose cannons like Kasper, and whoever it is he answers to in this world, are doing a lot of harm to consciences and causing great dismay among others. Now a CU Theology Department wants to give him an award. It looks like we are going to have at least another year of discussion. Kasper and Luther are out of the same mold. Let's pray intensely for a different ending.
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Posted by: abc -
Oct. 24, 2014 7:50 AM ET USA
I am still waiting for his defense of "mercy" towards the German Catholics who do not pay the Church Tax and are denied the Sacraments for this reason!
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Posted by: Chestertonian -
Oct. 24, 2014 12:56 AM ET USA
I hope he's wrong on both counts! To change anything would be to ignore our Lord and the Evangelists in Sacred Scripture. These issues are not merely about feelings and opinion. The true definition of marriage hasn't changed. Matters of error and sin have not changed, and will not change, for God does not change. To deny that smacks of ego and willfulness. The only changes that could be considered are how the Church will address those in error and guide them to repentance and reconciliation
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Posted by: feedback -
Oct. 23, 2014 9:58 PM ET USA
His Eminence didn't talk that much under St. John Paul II and Benedict.
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Posted by: -
Oct. 23, 2014 6:18 PM ET USA
One wishes Cardinal Kasper would just stop talking. He continues to do serious damage not only to his own reputation but to the Holy Father and the whole Church. As for his claim of majority support, two reflections: 1. Thanks be to God, Catholic doctrine is not decided by majority vote, and 2. Apollinaris, Arius and Nestorius were bishops, too.
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Posted by: jeremiahjj -
Oct. 23, 2014 6:10 PM ET USA
CatholicCulture and other media give far too much attention to this retired German prelate (he's beyond the age of 75) without also stating that he is not a spokesman for the pope, bishops or anyone but himself. Media are always running to him for a comment on this or that, which gives the perception that what he says is the way winds are blowing in the church. They might indeed be blowing in one direction or another, and Kasper might even guess the direction, but it would only a guess.
