When it was first published in 1993, Pope St. John Paul II’s encyclical on the reform of Catholic moral theology, Veritatis Splendor (The Splendor of Truth), dealt a severe blow to the pride of many German theologians, who had long thought themselves the cutting edge of Catholic intellectual life.
Indeed, within a year of the encyclical’s publication, a book composed entirely of essays critical of John Paul’s deeply humanistic explication of Catholic teaching on the path to happiness and beatitude was published in Germany—because, its editor explained, Germany had a special obligation to police the Church’s theological precincts. Who had appointed German theologians to this supervisory role was left unstated. So was the idea that seemed to undergird much of the German Catholic intellectual resistance to John Paul II: German theologians must be smarter than a Pole.
German resistance to the papal magisterium antedated John Paul II, of course; it would be hard to find a prominent German theologian (or bishop, for that matter) who defended Pope Paul VI after he issued the 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae on the morally appropriate means of regulating fertility. But much has changed since then, and the locus of progressive Catholic revisionism in moral theology has shifted from contraception to homosexuality. And now the German resistance to the truths taught by Humanae Vitae and Veritatis Splendor has metastasized into what seems to be an embrace of the claims of gender ideology and the “trans” movement by most of the country’s bishops.
On October 30, the German bishops’ conference secretariat announced on the conference website the publication of a text by the bishops’ Commission on Schools and Education, Created, Redeemed, and Loved: Visibility and Recognition of the Diversity of Sexual Identities in Schools. And by “diversity,” the text did not mean the diversity of Genesis 1:27 (“…male and female he created them”); the title refers to the ever-expanding catalogue of “identities” promoted by rainbow ideologists and LGBTQ+ activists.
As Cologne-based domradio.de reported, the text urges teachers to “contribute to the visibility of people with diverse sexual identities by using language that reflects that diversity. Teachers … should foster a classroom climate in which children and young people feel seen and taken seriously as they explore their sexual orientation and gender identity.”
And then the Deutsche Woke Express careens over the cliff into apostasy:
The paper calls on religious education teachers to present the Catholic Church’s sexual morality in a differentiated manner and to address controversial points in the Church and theology in their lessons so that students can form their own reasoned judgment.
So: No affirmation of biblical anthropology. No proclamation that the Church authoritatively teaches a sexual ethic that has fostered human flourishing and sanctity for two millennia. No call to conversion. Do-it-yourself moral discernment. No recognition that empirical studies demonstrate that “transitioning” or “sex-reassignment” does not lead to positive, long-term mental health outcomes. No suggestion that young people experiencing gender dysphoria and other confusions over their sexuality should seek counsel from a religious educator, priest, or consecrated religious who believes that what the Catholic Church teaches about the moral life is true, and who lives that truth happily.
The document’s call to challenge bullying is welcome and, in the climate created by brutal social media “conversations” and rancid internet sites, urgent. And who would deny that schools should be places where the pains and crises of maturation are not worsened by “discrimination and personal degradation”? But treating others with respect is a basic obligation of Christian charity (not to mention human decency) that has been known for millennia. It’s not something gender ideology, rainbow activists, and trans advocates have taught us in the twenty-first century.
It is tragic that this abandonment of theological sanity and pastoral responsibility coincides with the sixtieth anniversary of the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council, in which German bishops and theologians (including the future Pope Benedict XVI) played significant roles. Vatican II rightly rebalanced the Church’s self-understanding by affirming that bishops are true teachers, governors, and sanctifiers in their local churches, not simply branch managers of Catholic Church, Inc.
For a bishops’ commission to issue a text calling for a “differentiated” approach to Catholic teaching—that is, an approach to education in which the settled truths of Catholic faith are regarded as one option on a menu of possibilities — is thus beyond bizarre. It is a betrayal of Vatican II. And it will result in intensified human suffering, rather than the healing of troubled souls through the ever-available grace of God and truly compassionate pastoral care.
The disastrous German situation cannot go unaddressed by Rome indefinitely.
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Our bishops, by not telling same-sex attracted persons the truth that living a homosexual lifestyle is a sin, are lying to God’s children. By lying to God’s children, bishops themselves are sinning. That needs to end.
Right now, the loudest voice against the any aspect of the entirety of the alphabet agenda is singer Nicki Minaj who is taking on the Procurator of Sodom West-Gavin Newsome over the mutilation of children.
Meanwhile Iffert, Stowe and other Weevils…
Deacon: are they telling them that that lifestyle is acceptable, or arn’t they warning them enough about its consequences; there’s a big difference.
Thank you Mr. Weigel for telling it like it is, the German church is lost and confused.
Will the real Pope Leo the Vicar of Christ speak now or forever hold your peace.
Rather, the German Church should be joining King David in his lament in Psalms 51.
The Church’s mission is to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and share His gospel with the world, without worrying about offending or losing those who might form their own beliefs. The truth must be taught! Wiegel does an excellent job of calling out the apostasy of the German bishops and theologians, yet it’s discouraging that popes have remained silent while this group of German bishops continues down a path of apostasy, receiving nothing more than a light reprimand. Teach the truth and trust the Holy Spirit to guide them back to the embrace of Mother Church. Stop tiptoeing around the Gospel—speak with boldness and clarity as the Spirit leads, knowing God’s will shall prevail. God is ready for faithful servants to step forward in truth and faith, as humble tools through which He works. If the pope and others cannot do this, then step aside and let God work through others to glorify His name and fulfill His will among His children.
The Germans have been so proud of their breakaway Lutheran church that has lost its way and floundering everywhere. But, in their pride they Bishops want to repeat that folly in the Catholic Church again by exerting their power in their fiefdoms similar to Mr Luther. “ The gates of hell shall not prevail against His Church”.
Give an inch, they take a mile. While the human instinct for power is insatiable, the spiritual is measured. Vatican II did well in restoring the independence of bishops within their dioceses, many assumed a form of lordship.
Increased leeway should have inspired greater personal involvement in spreading and defending the faith. In America that was unintentionally redirected away from a good end when O’Boyle Washington DC Archbishop sought to implement and defend Humanae Vitae on contraception. His priests rebelled. Met with sanctions, Paul VI flinched fearing a schism. Very hectic days in the Church. Weigel did well to mention German resistance to Humanae. One German, a lowly but powerful presbyter Hans Kung stirred the pot.
Their is that deserved pride in intellectual prowess among Germans reaching back to Kant, and his retained influence among Catholic theologians, particularly spiritualism, the finality of the moral imperative. Karl Rahner, German preeminence at Rome’s Gregoriana Joseph Fuchs et Al had an immense influence on Catholic thought. Where did they go wrong? The inch and beyond.
It needs to be conceded that among the best minds issued from Germania. Joseph Pieper, Urs von Balthasar [German speaking Swiss] and finally the irreplaceable Joseph Ratzinger. If we acknowledge the greatness of John Paul II, we in turn recognize the great mind that was his support and advisor, Joseph Ratzinger.
The German Church as usual historically has been the template for repercussion throughout the universal. Again. It is the Roman pontiffs that hold the reins and who alone can redirect course toward Christ.
About the morality of the inborn Natural Law, which because it is true is then taught by the Catholic Church—rather than the other way around—we have the following:
“Contemplating this melancholy state of humanity, the Council wishes to recall first of all the permanent binding force of universal natural law and the all-embracing principles, Man’s conscience itself gives ever more emphatic voice to these principles […]” (Gaudium et Spes, n. 79). And, “[t]he Church is no way the author or the arbiter of this [‘moral’] norm” (Veritatis Splendor, n. 95).
And, to think that the secular Basic Law (constitution) in Germany, written in 1949 after World War II and the Holocaust, is directly based on real human dignity under the baked-in and universal Natural Law: “Human dignity is inviolable. To respect and protect it is the obligation of all state authorities” (Article 1[1]).
Too bad that the German theologians are neither Catholic, nor guardians of humanity, nor even what might still be German.
Peter: is the sad statement-“ the German theologians are neither Catholic…” literally true? No exceptions?
Of course exceptions. There’s the publicly visible and heroic minority even at the beginning of der Synodal Weg who secured a vote on whether the combined ecclesial assembly and a distinct and accountable “synod of bishops” might remain distinct in their voting—and who were steamrolled by a combined vote. Shut up, they explained. A tautology a lot like the later and equally self-referential “Synod on Synodality.”
“Man’s conscience itself gives ever more emphatic voice to these principles” [taught 1965] in VII Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes as that inherent knowledge that undergirds our conscience, [demolished 2003] by Jesuit theologian Josef Fuchs in his text Natural Law first published in English circa 2004, [reaffirmed 1993][ by John Paul in Veritatis Splendor.
Unfortunately Jesuit Josef Fuchs’ enshrinement of conscience in Natural Law remains alive in the minds of Catholic theologians, which can be identified in Jesuit Courtney Murray’s contribution to Dignitatis Humanae, V II Declaration on Human Freedom, a text that progressive periti wanted to be declared dogma, which thankfully was refused.
Fuchs’ theological diagram for natural law and freedom of conscience was the existence of two forms of revelation. The first is the Creator Word and the Natural Law. The next, or second is the Redeemer Christ, who reveals a soteriology that surpasses the law and its rules of behavior. There’s no accident that Jesuit Jorge Bergoglio had frequently referred to rules in a derogatory manner.
“Man’s conscience itself gives ever more emphatic voice to these principles” taught 1965 in VII Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes as that inherent knowledge that undergirds our conscience. Reaffirmed 1993 by John Paul in Veritatis Splendor. Demolished 2003 by intent Jesuit theologian Josef Fuchs in his text Natural Law first published in English circa 2004.
Unfortunately Jesuit Josef Fuchs’ enshrinement of conscience in Natural Law remains alive in the minds of Catholic theologians, which can be identified in Jesuit Courtney Murray’s contribution to Dignitatis Humanae, V II Declaration on Human Freedom, a text that progressive periti wanted to be declared dogma, which thankfully was refused.
Fuchs’ theological diagram for natural law and freedom of conscience was the existence of two forms of revelation. The first is the Creator Word and the Natural Law. The next, or second is the Redeemer Christ, who reveals a soteriology that surpasses the law and its rules of behavior. There’s no accident that Jesuit Jorge Bergoglio had frequently referred to rules in a derogatory manner.
St. Pope John Paul II already had the Fuchs mindset (2004) in mind when he wrote “…the commandment of love of God and neighbor does not have in its dynamic any higher limit, but it does have a lower limit, beneath which the commandment is broken” (Veritatis Splendor, 1993, n. 52).
About Fuchs, a heretic is someone who allows into his cranium only one thought at a time.
I can’t see Rome saying anything and risk losing their liberal media support.
Thank you, George, for this information, gravely disturbing as it is. Looks like another Protestant Reformation is underway in Germany.
In rejecting Sacred Scripture and the True Magisterium in favor of a surrender to the secular culture, this bishops conference is following the path of the U.S. Episcopal Church and will face the same end: extinction. After all, who needs a church that just preaches the secular culture.
Pope Leo seems to be a kind gentleman whose prayers seem genuine and orthodox, if not particularly incisive or memorable. The question is: does he have the character and courage to proclaim the Truth of the Magisterium and condemn apostasy?
St. Peter and St. JP II pray for us.
From all I know about the Pope, he is not one who is rash or in a hurry to make decisions; but when he does he can be expected to offer up a well thought out and balanced answer backed up by careful consideration, consultation and prayer. Not likely to be an off the cuff remark to a reporter. We must not press him as he will need time. He’s not likely to change things over night.
Tom, Pope Leo is imminently likable; however, he appears more timid than courageous. He reserves his “corrections” for the climate and immigration rather than for Jesus Christ, his teachings, and guiding the secular world to our Lord and Master. What I cannot tell is if he is in favor of apostasy as was Bergoglio or not. The day is late and there is not time to allow for fear. It is time to step forward, guided by the Holy Spirit, and teach the Word that was made flesh. Today’s world has forgotten what is and is not sin. They have become blinded to the simplest of truths, and the pope sits on the Chair in silence.
One may reasonably suspect that like minded adherents aligned with the Germans are comfortable in the modern Catholic Church….our priest and our Bishop probably included.
“The disastrous German situation cannot go unaddressed by Rome indefinitely.”
Unless of course the situation in Germany is precisely where the Vatican II revolution has been dragging the Church:
Willkommen bei Terminus!
We’re all traditionalists now?
I agree with what George Weigel has to say about the German bishops. However, I am not so sure that the German bishops have not just taken to a logical conclusion what has taken place with moral teaching since Humanae Vitae in 1968.
The Church’s teaching on the intrinsic immorality of artificial birth control is clear. Numerous surveys have shown that 90% of Mass going Catholics of child bearing age are using or have used artificial birth control. When priests or bishops are giving a homily and looking out at the congregation they know that these couples are in attendance. But, they say nothing on this issue. I have heard nothing in decades, probably in 50 years. To raise the subject today even in a group of active Catholics is like stepping on the third rail of morality. If the bishops are willing to change moral teaching (by their silence) why not other changes?
(When I say Church teaching, I mean the Church’s official position, because it is not taught).
No accountability for the Teutonic episcopate can be directly connected to the account of the Teutonic episcopate. Those Euros have to come from somewhere. Then, of course, there is the widespread but somewhat muted endorsement of all things heterodox held in esteem by the northern neighbors.
It is revolting.
Did the Rapping Bishop play a role in this?
Lord purify your Church. Pope Leo, speak up!
Re Crusader above (10:43 a.m.) – Humanae Vitae 1968. Silence.
Cf. Beverly Millett’s excellent articles on the crisis of U.S. annulments in The Federalist. Catholic Press? Silence.
The silence is deafening – and killing us.
“The disastrous German situation cannot go unaddressed by Rome indefinitely.”
Well, yeah, sadly it probably can. How many decades has it already gone on?
At root I fear is a misunderstanding about the place of formal “unity” in the hierarchy of ecclesial values. Hence Paul VI’s overruling of Cardinal O’Boyle’s attempt to maintain true unity centered on the truth in his archdiocese, in order to instead maintain an empty shell of formal unity while rebellion ruled within the shell.