Cardinal Maradiaga Explains it all to You

I believe this recent interview in the Cologne Stadt-Anzeiger has received insufficient attention in the English-speaking world: “Papal Confidante: Tebartz isn’t Returning” by Joachim Frank.

While the German headline focusses on an issue of German ecclesiastical politics, I think its significance lies elsewhere.

First, as the interviewer points out, Cardinal Maradiaga is reckoned as belonging to the inner circle of Pope Francis. The Honduran Cardinal had been, prior to the current pontificate, the subject of critical commentary regarding his judgment, competence and intelligence. When you read the following remarks, keep in mind that this is a man in whom Pope Francis places his trust.

Second, it is highly significant that the interview is being given to a Cologne newspaper. For a battle is brewing there over the succession to Cardinal Meisner, archbishop of Cologne, who will retire soon. Liberal and establishment forces in the media, the Cologne archdiocese and in the German Church in general never forgot their defeat when John Paul II appointed Meisner, a “conservative,” and they are have launched a campaign to get a more compliant successor. Furthermore, Meisner has been quoted as having reservations as to Pope Francis’ policy of ruling through interviews. I think a fair reading of this interview is that it lends support to the politics and the official positions of the “German Catholic Church.”

From the German interview:

Maradiaga: We are at the beginning of a new era in the Church – similar to 50 years ago when Pope John XXIII ordered the church windows to be opened to let in fresh air. … I am sure (the Holy Ghost) had a hand in our election in March 2012, because in the judgment of men another would have become Pope.

(Regarding the divorced and remarried):

Maradiaga: The Church is bound by God’s commands. Christ said concerning marriage: what God has joined together let no man put asunder. This word is clear. But there are many approaches to interpret it. After the failure of a marriage we could, for example, ask: were the husband and wife really joined together in God? Thus, there is much room for a deeper investigation. But that will not proceed in the direction that what today is black will become white tomorrow.

Maradiaga: I asked Pope Francis: Why another synod on the family once again? We had one just 30 years ago….

Interviewer: What did Francis answer?

Maradaiga: (Francis answered) that was 30 years ago. Today the family of that time exists hardly at all for most people. We have “patchwork families,” single parent families, phenomena like surrogate motherhood, childless marriages. And not to forget same-sex partnerships. … All this requires answers for the world of today. And it doesn’t suffice to say: we have the traditional doctrine. Of course the traditional doctrine will continue to exist. But the pastoral challenges require contemporary answers. And they don’t come anymore from authoritarianism and moralism. That is not “new evangilzation,” no, no!(Translator: it is unclear whether Maradiaga here is only quoting from Francis or is adding his own comments)

(Interviewer: Your confrere, Cardinal-elect Gerhard Ludwig Müller, as Prefect of the Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith, obviously thinks more of the authority of the Church.)

Maradiaga: (Laughs) Yes, I read that. And I thought: “OK, maybe you’re right and maybe not.” I think I understand him: he is German and moreover – yes, I have to say it – he is a professor, a German professor of theology. In his mentality there’s only right or wrong – that’s it. But I say: the world, my brother, the world is not that way…. You should be a little flexible when you hear other voices, so that you don’t just listen and say, no, here is the brick wall. But I believe he will come to understand other views. But now he is just at the beginning, and is listening only to his staff of advisors.

Interviewer: Are you going to give him your advice?

Maradiaga: Up till now we haven’t spoken with each other. But we will be speaking, that’s for sure. It’s always good to have a good dialogue.

(Interviewer: (At the time of the conclave) one heard (Bergoglio) had problems with a lung)

Maradiaga: That was negative propaganda with which someone from the “inner circle” (Translator: in English in the original) wanted to intentionally damage him. (Translator: Maradiaga then spoke to Bergoglio about it at the conclave, who denied it). Then I stood up and went from table to table saying ‘Listen! Those of you who are saying Bergoglio has only one lung are barking up the wrong tree.”

( The interviewer points out the “massive opposition” to Bergoglio of “conservative Catholics”)

Maradiaga: Perhaps massive, but not numerous. Most Catholics are behind the Pope. His opponents are people who don’t know reality. …

There follows in conclusion a curious set of questions and responses in which Maradiaga apparently develops a favorable view of the German church tax, breaking with recent criticism of the German system of government funding of the Church that had surfaced under Pope Benedict.