Posted on 05/31/2008 4:10:21 PM PDT by NYer
.- In response to a report in the Italian daily “La Repubblica” that Cardinal Christoph Schönborn could become the new Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the spokesman for the Archdiocese of Vienna, Erich Leitenberger, said on Stephanscom Austrian Radio that the rumor was unfounded.
On May 25, La Repubblica published an article by Marco Politi in which he offered a “general analysis” of the General Assembly of the Bishops’ Conference of Italy. Commenting on the rumor about Cardinal Schönborn, Politi said a personnel change at the Vatican was possible but that “until the Pope has signed off” on any changes, “everything is subject to question.”
The German daily Der Standard, picking up on the report in La Repubblica, said that if Cardinal Schönborn were to take the post, Cardinal Levada would have to return to the United States.
In response to the speculation, the spokesman for the Archdiocese of Vienna, Erich Leitenberger, said on May 27 that “the rumor has been brought up numerous times” and “has no basis in reality.”
This is the first I have heard of the rumor. How about you?
I wouldn't be surprised to see it happen though... NYC still is in need of an Archbishop... and other cardinal sees soon too.
Cardinal Schonborn is very papable, his main claim to fame being the chief editor of the catechism. He's a good one. Being placed as head of CDF could be interpreted as a signal by Benedict as to who he would like his successor to be. Even a rumor as such.
I love Cardinal Schoenborn. It would be cool if he were appointed to CDF, where Levada is such a snooze.
I think the big question is what they would do with Levada. He wasn’t a particularly good bishop of SF - and I think the Pope may realize that now - and I don’t believe they’d throw away a major see (such as NY) on him. I hope not, at least.
Hopefully there can be found something for him to do in Rome, and not return here. My understanding has been that Benedict and Levada are good personal friends, so maybe Benedict can find a nice position, but with far less responsibility and importance, for Levada in the curia. Procuror of teacakes perhaps.
FWIW. I heard a rumor that it would be Ranjith at the Holy Office. Probably just a rumor.
Pfleger needs a Catherine of Siena. ( The whole church does )
I heard a rumor that it would be Ranjith at the Holy Office.
I have heard that too. Maybe all these rumors add up to imminent change.
That sounds about right. I think he could handle it.
I guess he can’t become an actuary, at his age, but maybe he could do needlepoint.
Don’t make a former archbishop of San Francisco “procuror of cup cakes.” There’s too much of a danger of something getting lost in the translation.
Hmmm. Both the procuring and the needlepoint are not good ideas for somebody from SF...
I’m not crazy about the fact he is letting a certain artist be honored now, even if he is making the most notorious painting be removed.
I don't. Austria is a notorious disaster scene and Schonborn has been on the job well past the time to have full ownership of what's going on. I am not speaking only of the hair-raising homosex mafia scandals or of the Cardinal's slow and half-hearted response to the recent display of scandalous blasphemy at his cathedral's museum. Indeed, the Catechism he edited is not without fault in its approach to questions of ecumenism and religious liberty. I myself was present at a speech given by the Cardinal here in New Orleans (an ecumenical event) at which he asserted that Jews have no need to convert as they have their own salvific covenant. I used to think well of Schonborn, but it's many years since that I adjusted my views. I think of him as a well-connected careerist, a go-along fellow utterly unequal to (and perhaps unconcerned by) the challenges that confront him.
The only point in bringing Schonborn to Rome would be to neuter him and place a firmer hand in Vienna. Of course much the same was said of Levada.
Much better IMHO to keep Levada on a short leash in Rome and give New York to someone willing to be a true leader and shepherd.
Obviously I’ve formed my opinion based on inadequate information.
Thanks for sharing your insight. I respect your opinion and will use it to adjust my own.
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