Vatican overturns own decision on seminary dean

 

Philosophical-Theological University of Bressanone in Italy. / Credit: Ladislav Luppa / Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

CNA Newsroom, May 17, 2024 / 10:13 am (CNA).

In a significant reversal, the Vatican approved the appointment of a new dean at a seminary in Northern Italy almost one year after first blocking the appointment over the candidate’s published views on sexual morality.

The Philosophical-Theological College in Bressanone (PTH Brixen) announced “with great joy” that Father Martin M. Lintner, OSM, has now been confirmed as dean and will take office on Sept. 1.

The appointment of Lintner, who teaches moral and spiritual theology at the seminary, faced opposition from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Culture and Education in mid-2023 over his published works on Catholic sexual morality, particularly his views on same-sex blessings.

In an article published in 2020 by New Ways Ministry titled “Theologian Suggests Papal Civil Union Support May Lead to Church Blessings,” Lintner is quoted as saying: “A homosexual relationship does not lose its dignity due to the lack of fertility.”

Lintner also contributed a chapter offering “theological-ethical reflections on a blessing ceremony for same-sex couples” to a book titled “The Benediction of Same-Sex Partnerships.”

Rome’s position on Lintner’s appointment was reversed after the Vatican’s controversial declaration Fiducia Supplicans approved nonliturgical blessings for same-sex couples in December 2023.

On the news of his appointment, Lintner told German media that the appointment of a new prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Victor Fernandez, had played a role. He also asserted that his case — the reversal of such an appointment — was setting a kind of “precedent.”

Lintner also expressed relief over his victory: “It is entirely in my interest to close this chapter, which has been stressful for everyone involved, and to concentrate on theological work again. I approach the new challenges as dean with joy and confidence,” reported CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner.

Bishop Ivo Muser of Bolzano-Bressanone welcomed the Vatican’s decision, saying he wished the new dean a blessed start.

“I would also like to thank those responsible in the Vatican’s Dicastery for Education for all the personal and telephone conversations and for the decision that has now been made.”

The PTH Brixen, located in the Northern Italian region of South Tyrol (Alto Adige), is a significant institution in the predominantly German-speaking region offering courses in philosophy and theology. It is the academic training center of the Diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone for priests and deacons, pastoral assistants, teachers of religion, and other pastoral vocations.


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3 Comments

  1. “A homosexual relationship does not lose its dignity due to the lack of fertility” (Fr Lintner OSM). Clearly an heretical opinion that undermines long standing Catholic teaching on homosexual relationships. At this stage of vocal and policy affirmations of same sex relations as morally acceptable it becomes equally clear that Pope Francis and his supporters in the German Synodale Weg, cardinals and bishops throughout the Church are comfortable with approving, even promoting same sex relations as a good.
    It’s the predictable outcome now come to realization that this pontificate is seeking to formalize homosexuality as a good comparable to God’s ordaining of marriage between a man and woman. It’s the greatest reversal of Catholic moral doctrine since the Incarnation, because the family is the apex of the Christian community that forms the body of Christ. From this writer’s conviction which I state without fear or hesitation, it is clearly satanic as well.
    Pope Francis is not backing down following the outcry throughout the Church against Fiducia Supplicans. Although we should not be under the illusion that the outcry against speaks to a commanding majority. There are many presbyters, bishops, a significant number of cardinals that are either openly in favor, or are trending. Our Church is divided from the papacy on down creating a duality at odds with itself. Although this has occurred by suggestion, non binding documentation, appointment, structural changes, absolution absent of repentance for serial sexual deviants both presbyter and bishop it has taken hold in practice as if it were formally pronounced.
    This writer has the conviction that any attempt to formalize these errors will not be permitted by God, that the perpetrators know this in their hearts. Complacency with the expectation this will dissolve by itself is illogic as well as a form of compliance. Those with faith must make this known to the faithful and to the pontiff.

    • We read: “’A homosexual relationship does not lose its dignity due to the lack of fertility’ (Fr Lintner OSM). Clearly an heretical opinion that undermines long standing Catholic teaching on homosexual relationships.”

      Even worse than this…

      About the broad wording re the “lack of fertility,” the appointment of Lintner and endorsement of his statement effectively vetoes the Catechism and the formal encyclicals of Humanae Vitae and Veritatis Splendor–regarding ALL sexual relationships. The inseparability of the unitive purpose and the procreative purpose applies to all real marriages as well as “irregular” couples and Lintner’s seemingly specific homosexual “relationships”.

      The end game of the enigmatic “paradigm shift” in formal doctrine is accomplished informally and indirectly by phone calls, ventriloquism and corrupt governance decisions.

      The gradualism of “Time is greater than space” (Evangelii Gaudium, 2013).

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