Australian paper sees 'discrimination' in Vatican search for orthodox bishops
March 11, 2011
An Australian newspaper has advanced the preposterous theory that the Vatican might be violated anti-discrimination laws with a survey seeking information about possible candidates for episcopal ordination.
The Sydney Morning Herald, in a remarkably tendentious report, says that the Vatican survey "seems designed to ensure only the most conformist candidates can be promoted." That charge is based on questions about whether candidates adhere to the traditional teachings of the Church.
The Morning Herald quotes Paul Collins, who finds it objectionable that the survey asks whether a priest under consideration supports "authentic renewal," and the story finds it "iniquitous" that potential bishops are expected to adhere to the 1998 "Statement of Conclusions" in which Vatican officials and Australian bishops agreed on needed reforms for the Church in Australia.
While quoting Collins at some length, the Morning Herald does not mention that the dissident spokesman is a former priest, who "resigned" from ministry in 2001 because of his doctrinal differences with the Holy See.
The survey covered by the newspaper article was circulated secretly. Consequently spokesmen for the Vatican declined to comment.
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