7 Comments
Mar 24, 2023·edited Mar 24, 2023

Germany should have minimal influence in the Church today. I'd like to think that faithfulness to God should be what drives influence in the Church. Germany does not seem exemplary in that regard. A 2014 study found that 42% of German priests don't pray daily, and 54% of German priests barely ever go to confession (i.e. 0 or 1 times per year). That's a Church culture that does not rely on God. It is no surprise that this same culture speaks of blessing all sorts of odd things. We would do the same if we abandon our prayer lives.

May God grant that those who are most faithful be given influence in our Holy Church.

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I'm sure the German progressives know their days are numbered. That's probably whey they are doing this now. They may never get another chance. The question is how much damage can they do to the entire Church before the money runs out. I fear it may be quite a bit, unfortunately.

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Mar 24, 2023·edited Mar 24, 2023Liked by JD Flynn

I have been wondering, offhand, if we might expect the German Church's influence to experience a sudden, rapid decline in the years to come, as the trend of civil deregistration catches up with its church tax-funded economic influence. Thanks for some informed journalism on this subject.

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Germany has shown zero desire to maintain doctrinal adherence to the Church, and should be treated as such. Board assignments and conference representations aside, this is a big moment for Pope Francis. He has many detractors (me included) who feel his Papacy has set in motion this type of heretical activism we see coming from Germany. He talks tough at times, but his actions, or should I say inaction, speak louder. When you meet with the likes of James Martin and don't set him right, you too have an agenda. Germany, in my opinion, is doing exactly what Pope Francis has set out to do himself; the ushering in of a 'new' more politically correct Catholic Church, one focused on meeting secularism where it is instead of seeking change from the secularist.

The Church should never shun anyone. But when I see Francis stand by silently as the likes of James Martin, and on much grander scale Germany, simply flout their noses as they move forward with an agenda that is totally against doctrine and Church teaching, one can only conclude Pope Francis is giving tacit approval through his inaction.

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I disagree. The Pope has told them you can't bless sin. He has told them no committee can run a country, diocese, or parish. They refuse to listen. Leo X didn't excommunicate Luther until 1520. Instead he sent a Cardinal to try to talk him back to his senses. It didn't work. Pope Francis believes in dialogue, even when it doesn't get him anywhere. Eventually the Germans will either recant or leave the Church.

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May the German church be as wealthy as it is orthodox, and it’s influence likewise.

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So, the answer to the abuse crisis is to destroy the dogma and doctrines of the Church? How does that logically follow?

Africa and conservative Catholicism (in various parts of the world) are the future. Better to have devoted members that adhere to the Deposit of Faith than to listen to those who want to destroy it.

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