Cardinal Lehmann encourages German bishops to make changes now, under Pope Francis
November 10, 2016
Cardinal Karl Lehmann said that the German Catholic bishops should act now to make changes in Church discipline, while they have the encouragement of Pope Francis.
“Francis wants us to explore new paths,” said Cardinal Lehmann, a former president of the German bishops’ conference. He said that the German bishops should not wait before adopting new policies on issues such as Communion for Catholics who are divorced and remarried.
Cardinal Lehmann was Bishop of Mainz until his retirement in May. His successor has not yet been named.
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Posted by: -
Nov. 11, 2016 10:58 PM ET USA
You can't change moral law. No, German bishops this is not a good idea!!
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Posted by: feedback -
Nov. 11, 2016 11:47 AM ET USA
This is public admission to a belief that this particular Vicar's of Christ understanding of the Faith is unlike any other Vicar's of the past or of the predictable future.
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Posted by: rickt26170 -
Nov. 11, 2016 3:19 AM ET USA
I don't get it. Francis seems to draw very serious fans from the men that have dug the grave of the Church in Northern Europe. What are we supposed to learn from them? In our era moving the Church to where the people live means accommodating decadent secularism. The Protestant "mainline" denominations have tried it and it has brought every one of them to the brink of irrelevance. If Mother Church follows the same road it will reach the same dreary dead end. This should be obvious.
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Posted by: mwean7331 -
Nov. 10, 2016 11:26 PM ET USA
Hmm what is this saying about Pope Francis if you read between lines?
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Posted by: [email protected] -
Nov. 10, 2016 11:07 PM ET USA
Another disillusioned and dissenting church leader who is confused because of the Pope's statements. The church is getting divided as badly as the United States due to poor leadership and desire to remake the Church according to Jesuit thinking of the day. God help us with more loyal Jesuits.
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Posted by: Bernadette -
Nov. 10, 2016 8:33 PM ET USA
Shame on the cardinal. It's like hurry up and do your dirty work before you get caught. By another pope who will turn things around again and preach and teach the actual words of Christ - of course, in charity. But truth is truth! Remarriage without the benefit of the Sacrament is the same as adultery, encouraging adultery.
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Posted by: jalsardl5053 -
Nov. 10, 2016 7:26 PM ET USA
Agreed! With such lavish praise for the reform that was born in that very nation, act now! Seize the moment! Who knows? Guidelines may be forthcoming at any time so don't delay!