Pope Meets With Dissident Theologian

Yahoo News ^ | September 26, 2005

[NYer]

Pope Benedict XVI met with one of his fiercest critics, the dissident Swiss theologian Hans Kung, and the two had a "friendly" theological discussion, the Vatican said Monday.

The meeting occurred Saturday, Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said in a statement.

"The two agreed that there was no sense in entering, within the confines of the meeting, in a dispute surrounding the persistent doctrinal questions between Hans Kung and the magisterium of the Catholic Church," the statement said.

The two did, however, discuss other theological issues, including the question of global ethics and the dialogue between scientific reason and Christian faith, Navarro-Valls said.

Kung was stripped of the right to teach theology at the University of Tuebingen in Germany in 1979 after challenging Roman Catholic doctrines such as papal infallibility.

[Tax-chick]

Well, that was very polite of the Pope. It's not too late for the Holy Spirit to touch Hans Kung, and a little cordiality certainly can't hurt!

[NYer]

This is a good opportunity to showcase one of the most comprehensive listings of dissenting individuals and organizations. Kudos to Bruce Sabalaskey, webmaster at OurLadysWarriors!

DISSENT

This section contains material pertaining to those organizations and persons who purport to hold the Catholic Faith but actually dissent from the Truth and instead embrace error, all while proclaiming themselves as Catholic.

[NYer]

German Cardinal Karl Lehmann of Mainz, chairman of the German bishops conference, right, talks with dissident Swiss theologian Father Hans Kung, who was stripped of his teaching rights at Catholic universities by the Vatican in 1979, left, at the German Katholikentag or Catholic Church assembly in Ulm, Germany, Saturday, in this June 19, 2004 file photo. Pope Benedict XVI granted an audience to one of his fiercest critics, the dissident Swiss theologian Hans Kueng, and the two had a 'friendly' theological discussion, Kueng and the Vatican said Monday, Sept. 26, 2005.(AP Photo/Jens Meyer)

[xzins]

I'm betting that the two are old friends through their German connections.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the rehabilitation of Hans Kung.

[marshmallow]

German Cardinal Karl Lehmann of Mainz, chairman of the German bishops conference, right, talks with dissident Swiss theologian Father Hans Kung,.........

"Talks"?? Hardly.

It looks as if Kung is giving him an earful and Lehmann is politely trying to look interested.

[siunevada]

the rehabilitation of Hans Kung.

Hans, the first step of twelve is to recognize you have a problem and it has become unmanageable.

[xzins]

Hans does have a problem.

He should use the word "if" a whole lot more than in the past.

If you can't baffle 'em with bull, then hypnotize them with humility.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

The two did, however, discuss other theological issues, including the question of global ethics and the dialogue between scientific reason and Christian faith, Navarro-Valls said.

What...no discussion of clown masses, Enneagrams, wreckovation, or 300-pound female liturgical dancers? That's not giving "renewal" very detailed coverage.

[BlackElk]

Considering that it was the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (aka the Holy Office), headed by Benedict XVI, then Josef Cardinal Ratzinger, which enthusiastically stripped Hans Kung of his license as a Catholic theologian early in the pontificate of John Paul II of happy memory, one rather doubts that there will be any, even the slightest, rehabilitation of Hans Kung unless Kung strips himself of his infernal id and his heresies and his unearned pride and his resistance to Truth and then engages in public physical penance of Biblical proportions.

[xzins]

I really liked Kung's "Does God Exist?" Thought it a very worthy book, but that was pre-stripping.

I'm still betting that the two are old pals.

After all, Kung's only crime was in disputing papal infallibility. See below....Link to Quote

Ratzinger goes on to support Kung's position versus the Theology of Rome, of which today he is the top representative... He stresses:

"I want to emphasize again that I decidedly agree with Kung when he makes a clear distinction between Roman theology (taught in the schools of Rome) and the Catholic Faith. To free itself from the constraining fetters of Roman Scholastic Theology represents a duty upon which, in my humble opinion, the possibility of the survival of Catholicism seems to depend" (Ibid., p. 101, last text highlighted at right).

[siunevada]

Kung's only crime was in disputing papal infallibility.

A quick scan of Google brought this up from 1998.

Hans Kung: Vatican Rehab or Challenge to Change?
Some speculate whether Swiss theologian will be next "prodigal son"

On January 30, in another in a long series of sharp attacks on the Holy See, dissident theologian, Father Hans Kung also denounced the bishops of Germany for accepting the decision of Pope John Paul II that Catholic counselors should not provide the certificates of counseling required of women seeking abortions.

Kung accused the German bishops of "servile obedience" to the "Roman Kremlin", and said that by accepting the pope's decision, they had lost their "credibility" and their "apostolic franchise." He called for "tenacious resistance" against the authority of Rome, which he said was based on "half-truths" and "camouflage", and hinted that the German bishops were motivated by their desire to become cardinals.

Kung has accused the pope of imposing a "rigid, stagnating and despotic rule in the spirit of the Inquisition". Two years ago he called for a new pope who would "save the barque of Saint Peter from sinking" by changing the teaching on women priests, married male priests, divorce and birth control.

http://www.adoremus.org/Kung-598.html

Gott in Himmel!

[siunevada]

I'm still betting that the two are old pals.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.(Discussion)
Has Kung spoke out yet about his former colleage Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger)?

Yes, he has. He said in a German TV interview. He called the appointment of Ratzinger a "great disappointment". He goes on to say that "many others would have been better choices". Here he cited Martini and Lehman. But Küng also expressed some hope Ratzinger could return to his more conciliatory roots: "The (papal) office changes everyone". On a personal level Küng described Ratzinger as "distanced, cool and, if necessary, Machiavellian". (entire interview: rtsp://video.daserste.azzoo.net/realcontent/moma/050420_3_28.rm)

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Hans_K%C3%BCng"

What a pal. I feel the love!

[A.A. Cunningham]

After all, Kung's only crime was in disputing papal infallibility.

Your overly simplistic dismissal of Kung's actions requires a more detailed explanation.

THE HISTORICAL CREDIBILITY OF HANS KUNG

[Pio]

Either way, Kung's ideas permeate the Church far more than neo-Catholic/Dale Hudson conservatism/EWTN-charismatic bent that gets bandied about on this forum.

In my interaction with fellow Catholics on a daily basis @ the parish level ... it is Kung who rules the day ... and this is what fuels the traditionalist movement.

[PetroniusMaximus]

Even as an evangelical, I see Kung is a heretic of the worst sort.

Why this pope would even waste time with him I'll never understand.

[charliemarlow]

While I understand a pope meets with many people, includding heretics and dictators, this meeting is the sort of thing that weakens the Church. Why must the water always be muddied? We need a strong voice speaking out for Truth, not nicey-nice meetings with those who seek to destroy the Faith.

[Romish_Papist]

Then it is sad to say that those fellow Catholics are all buying into heresy.

[siunevada]

this meeting is the sort of thing that weakens the Church.

Well, I did find it interesting that the last high profile meeting that made the news was with an atheist, Orianna Falacci. In terms of scheduling, I guess Kung is less important than the atheists.

And the Gospel from Sunday came to mind. Jesus is asking the chief priests and elders their opinion about the two sons. He's still calling to them, still trying to get them to see the truth.

I don't really see this meeting as weakening the Church. It doesn't validate anything Kung has to say.

[conservonator]

Why this pope would even waste time with him I'll never understand.

For the same reason Christ ate with tax collectors and other sinners I would imagine, not that the pope is or considers himself to be Christ but rather is making and effort to be Christlike.

I could be wrong;)