Political tactics in continental Europe are well known to church historians and Cardinal Reinhard Marx’s recent resignation, rejected by Pope Francis, as archbishop of Munich and Freising is no less.
As leader of the Catholic Church in Germany, Marx favoured a “Synodal Path” which has now come to a dead end, amid widespread defiance of Vatican directives by clerics blessing homosexual unions, ordination of women and the specre of a schism just around the corner.
Marx’s letter calls for a Great Reset. He acknowledges the plague of clerical sexual abuse in Germany and such a highly appealing theme can only assist in making him a popular figure.
There is no doubt that at age 67, the cardinal is on the hunt for new curial appointments. He has been a member of the C9, Pope Francis’ Council of Cardinal Advisors on Reform.
Marx’s reference to an “institutional” responsibility for sexual crimes has been exploited in various parts of the world by other bishops to strike opponents, avoiding to distinguish between good and bad priests and to place the issue in the hands of the pope, regardless of verifying the truth.
In March, Cardinal Marx himself was accused by criminologist Christian Pfeiffer who had been commissioned by the German bishops of having “intervened to undermine his investigation.” The problems of the Church in Germany are somewhat chronic in nature.
Cardinal Walter Brandmüller, another German, noted that much is to be desired about the way Marx has politicised the faith. “This is a slippage on Protestant positions, perhaps they want a Church united with Protestants,”Brandmüller said.
Should a schism eventuate, it is expected that very few faithful will join in, simply because most German “Catholics” remain indifferent, secularised, and on the brink of abandoning all forms of religion. According to recent media reports, Marx’s staged resignation could easily be a calculated follow-up on the advice issued by the criminologist to escape guilt and “enable a real fresh start.”
Much like Luther, who was safely sheltered at Wartburg Castle, Cardinal Marx appears to also be in the midst of building his own mighty fortress. Pope Francis’ rejection of his resignation is not surprising and can only be a move to present him with a morally stronger mandate.
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