Liechtenstein laypeople start a synodal process without Archbishop Haas
Shepherd does not consider trial in the archbishopric to be necessary
The Archdiocese of Vaduz does not want to participate in the World Synod because Archbishop Wolfgang Haas does not consider it necessary. Now a lay association began the process without the shepherd. But they did not want to demonstrate Haas, it was said.
Vaduz – December 20, 2021
A Liechtenstein lay association will start a synodal process in the Principality without Archbishop Wolfgang Haas. So far, he has shown no interest in this. The chance that Haas will still take part is ten percent, said Christel Kaufmann from the “Association for an Open Church” in an interview with the Swiss portal “kath.ch”.
The aim was to present the conservative Archbishop of Vad, but actually to win him over for the “We are campaign, emphasized Kaufmann. The association had tried in vain to get in touch with him by phone; perhaps it had something to do with his alleged illness, so the 63-year-old: “We have now informed him in writing and invited him to take part in the synodal process – for example in program items.”
Results to Rome and the Archbishop
To her motivation to organize synodal process bypassing the bishop, Kaufmann said: “We are all baptized. And Rome expressly calls on us to get involved.” The results are to be sent both to Archbishop Haas and directly to Rome.
Haas had declared on the archbishopric’s website in October that “the close relationships in our parishes allowed pastors and laypeople to contact each other quickly and easily” and that a synodal process such as that proclaimed by Pope Francis worldwide was therefore not necessary. Anyone who would like to submit “wishes, concerns and suggestions for the organization of church life in our diocese in writing can still do so and contact the Archbishop or the Vicariate General directly,” said the pastor. “Not in large processes and long debates”, but in listening is the main task of the bishop.
“I am of the opinion that in our conduct of a complex and sometimes complicated process, which in our part of the world runs the risk of becoming ideologically branched, can be for good reasons,” said the archbishop. When asked by kathisch.de what was meant by this danger, the archdiocese did not want to comment.
“Church alien to life”
Kaufmann criticized Haas’ statements: “Who thinks they are important enough to go to the archbishop and ask for an appointment?” They want a bishop who in turn “goes out to the people and shows interest”.
She further complained that most weddings in Liechtenstein take place without the Eucharistic celebration; “because the bride and groom already have a child or live together”. There are also pastors who expressly stated: Those who have not confessed should not come to communion. This is “a church that is alien to life and not a church in today’s world”.
Kaufmann announced that the association would write to all households in Liechtenstein and promote the synodal process. Ten questions are noted on a leporello that people in groups, clubs and school classes could discuss. The starting service is scheduled to take place on January 8th. The results could be sent back to the association by post by February 28th. By the time the synodal process is expected to be completed on March 19, there would be five more publicly moderated discussion rounds. (mpl / KNA)