Austria Sick of Being #2 to Germany’s Evil

It's not just Germany! Austria is joining Germany in heresy and incipient schism. And what is Rome doing to stop this abomination?

From One Mad Mom

James Martin, SJ, put me onto this lovely piece by New Ways, but he in no way wants homosexual blessings leading to same-sex unions. He’s not advocating for it, he just thought it was interesting. Or so goes his usual spiel when he posts something awful like this.

New Ways Ministry

Archdiocese of Salzburg Publishes New Book on Church Blessings for Same-Gender Couples

May 25, 2020

Austria’s Archdiocese of Salzburg has published a new book which explores the blessings of same-gender unions, an important step towards formal recognition of LGBTQ+ relationships in a country where marriage equality was instituted in 2019.

What are they formally acknowledging? Mortal sin? Sodomy? Masturbation? These guys are sick and are literally going to have hell to pay if they keep leading their flock astray.

Entitled The Benediction of Same Sex Partnerships, the book was reviewed in The Tablet, and includes quotes from an interview that liturgist Ewald Volgger held with KirchenZeitung Diozese Linz, the diocesan newspaper of Linz. Volgger shared that he was commissioned by Archbishop Franz Lackner to explore the “the question of an official Benediction” for lesbian and gay couples. While stopping short of defining these relationships as marriage, the text finds strong grounding for providing them with a formal blessing. The current area being explored, a Benediction, is described in The Tablet as “not a sacrament and therefore not at the same level as the Sacrament of Marriage…but an official act of blessing.”

Why stop there, gentlemen? I mean, if you’re going to bless sin, why not go all the way? You’ve already crossed the heresy line by saying you think that sin should be declared blessed, so why in the heck not??? Go for broke! You can beat Germany in the game of insanity! I know you can! With just a little more effort, I’m sure you can empty your pews faster than Germany. The race is on!

This book’s publication comes, Volgger noted, as increasing numbers of Catholics are embracing LGBTQ inclusion in the church. For the benediction outlined in the text to be declared an official liturgy, it would require an amendment to the Catechism’s discussion of homosexuality, which still contains language of ‘intrinsic disorder.’ Says Volgger, “an official liturgy must be based on church doctrine.” The text, co-authored with theologian Florian Wegscheider, also discusses the ethical and scriptural perspectives on same-gender marriage, as well as an examination of how marriage equality developed in Austria.

And they’re the tail that’s wagging the dog. Sorry, Volgger, that’s not how it works. Our Church doesn’t change its morality to meet the “increasing numbers of Catholics” who are embracing sin. There is no benediction of immorality. Oh, and, Wegscheider, the “marriage equality” movement developed in Austria precisely because of idiotic bishops not doing a darn thing to stop it, or even worse, leading the charge. It is neither scriptural nor ethical. It’s simply evil.

While Volgger is not certain of a timeline for when such a benediction could be instituted, he wished that it could occur ‘as soon as possible.’ Novena News reported that Volgger observed that theology has been behind the times in regards to the pastoral accompaniment that priests have been providing to same-gender couples for years.

How about half past never? Sounds terrific to me. And here’s the usual “theology has been behind the times” canard. But at least he’s honest. The church in Austria has been immoral for quite a while. And, BTW, this is exactly the kind of “accompaniment” Fr. Martin wants. He wants exactly what these guys want. He’s just not going to tell you that because, well, he’s a Jesuit.

Volgger also shared with KirchenZeitung Diozese Linz that Archbishop Lackner is not alone in his desire for a more inclusive church. He says that a “significant number of bishops want to see a change in thinking concerning the evaluation of same-sex partnerships in church teaching on sexual morality.”

Not even trying to hide what they want. Refreshing. Well, I suppose not quite because they do, indeed, want there to be “gay marriage.”

The German-speaking church has been particularly outspoken. In 2020, the new head of the German bishops’ conference, Bishop Georg Bätzing said the church must find a way to recognize sam-gender couples. Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising, a close advisor to Pope Francis, has made similar comments. Last year, in Germany, Bishop Dieter Geerlings, auxiliary bishop emeritus for the Diocese of Münster, reaffirmed his existing support for such blessings based on the “mutual responsibility” partners show for one another that is “valuable and praiseworthy, even if this bond is not in complete agreement with the church.” Bishop Felix Gmür of Basel, Switzerland, said the church had to find a meaningful way to engage such couples.

Not in complete agreement? Understatement of the Church’s history. You can’t have something good and praiseworthy based on a lie.

In Austria, the public tide has been turning significantly in favor of blessing same-gender unions, and Volgger says that “a new approach is not only open to discussion but can be demanded.” This development shows the great impact that public opinion and the influence of lay people can have on shaping the church. We hope that the call for an official Benediction continues and that this soon paves the way for sacramental marriage equality to follow.

As usual, Austria toddles off after Germany. Does anyone remember the first paragraph of this insolent piece?

The current area being explored, a Benediction, is described in The Tablet as ‘not a sacrament and therefore not at the same level as the Sacrament of Marriage…but an official act of blessing.’” It’s very clear that it’s just what they hope will be the next step towards same-sex “marriage.”

I have one question for them: If you’re not blessing sodomy and masturbation, what are you really doing? I mean, you’re obviously not going for “They’re just friends and isn’t that lovely.” We certainly don’t have heterosexual friendship blessings. So, the bottom line is that they are, very much indeed, trying to officially bless immoral behavior. And, like Volgger has admitted, it’s been going on for years. No shocker but, again, they’re trying to wag the dog.