Is Cardinal Woelki Being Targeted Because of His Concerns About Germany’s Synodal Path?

National Catholic Register ^ | February 10, 2021 | Edward Pentin

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Is Cardinal Woelki Being Targeted Because of His Concerns About Germany’s Synodal Path?

VATICAN CITY — At the same time as a newly leaked document shows just how determined German Church leaders are to push their synodal path, one of the controversial initiative’s most prominent critics, Cardinal Rainer Woelki of Cologne, is being targeted by opponents over his alleged failures regarding the handling of an abuse allegation. 

Over the past few months, the archbishop of Cologne has been subjected to fierce attacks from parish councils, priests and most recently the diocesan council over the alleged mishandling. The cardinal has also been unable to depend on the support of the head of Germany’s bishops’ conference, Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg, who said in December that the “crisis” has “not been managed well.”

“The pressure is immense,” said one German priest, speaking to the Register on condition of anonymity. “Cardinal Woelki and others resistant to the synodal path are being worn down by dirty press campaigns.”

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To date, the Pope has sent mixed signals, issuing a cautionary open letter to German bishops in June 2019 and expressing his “dramatic concern” over the process, while subsequently voicing his appreciation for the process last summer. 

The ambiguous Peronist Pope; tells different, opposing audiences each what they want to hear.

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