A prince mediates between Liechtenstein and Rome – kath.ch
From Austria, Prince Stefan von und zu Liechtenstein (60) enters the Principality of the Holy See. The businessman and diplomat is keeping a low profile when it comes to the future of the Archdiocese of Vaduz. Nuncio Martin Krebs recently met Foreign Minister Dominique Hasler.
Raphael Rauch
On February 21, 2008, at 8.11 a.m., Prince Stefan von und zu Liechtenstein was in the spotlight of the Federal Republic. The ARD “Morgenmagazin” broadcasts a live interview with the ambassador of Liechtenstein in Berlin.
He counters with unusual boldness for a diplomat
In the eyes of the Germans, Prince Stefan is a bankster. A predatory capitalist who cheats the German state out of billions in taxes. But Prince Stefan remains sovereign and does not allow himself to be provoked.
When asked if he had a guilty conscience for helping tax evasion, he countered with unusual cheekiness for a diplomat: “The only reason I have a guilty conscience is because your colleague quickly choked on my long name.”
The ambassador with the tax havens
Three minutes later, the German moderator states: “You are surprisingly relaxed here this morning.” Prince Stefan replies: “In our world, everyone is a perpetrator and a victim at the same time.”
The Federal Republic of course sees things differently. For them, the small Liechtenstein perpetrators – and the big Germany victims. Chancellor Angela Merkel also made Prince Stefan feel this when he appeared at the New Year’s reception for the diplomatic corps three days earlier.
While the chancellor smiles friendly at other ambassadors, she tries to keep Prince Stefan at a distance. Too friendly a picture would have ruined their message to do everything against tax havens.
30 police officers protect the Liechtenstein embassy
Berlin in 2008: Prince Stefan does not have an easy job. Only through the liability of the CEO of Deutsche Post, Klaus Zumwinkel, does Germany seem to realize that there is a separate country between Switzerland and Austria. Anti-Liechtenstein sentiment is spreading in Berlin.
At times, up to 30 police officers protect the Liechtenstein embassy because attacks are feared: “For two years, members of the Liechtenstein government were received more for bilateral visits in Germany and anyway nobody came from Germany to Liechtenstein. That was tedious, »reports Prince Stefan later in an interview.
Art as a bridge builder
What does an ambassador do who nobody wants to talk to? He tries to find alternatives. Prince Stefan has an affinity for culture. He evaluates classical music as well as art and literature. Instead of ministers and parliamentarians, he invites authors and artists to the Berlin embassy. And they like to come. The royal family has known for centuries that art can build bridges.
Compared to Berlin, Prince Stefan has an easy job today. He is Liechtenstein’s ambassador to the Holy See in an honorary capacity. He is a non-resident ambassador. That means: He doesn’t live in Rome, but works from Carinthia. Nobody in the Vatican says that Liechtenstein is a tax haven. Compared to the opaque Vatican finances, Liechtenstein appears as a transparent Eldorado.
Foreign Minister Dominique Hasler with the Pope
As befits a diplomat, Prince Stefan values discretion. What did Foreign Minister Dominique Hasler and Pope Francis talk about when they met on October 27? Prince Stefan refers to the official communiqué: The Foreign Minister traveled to Rome for an “inaugural visit to the Holy See and for a working meeting at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs”.
In the Vatican she met the Vatican Foreign Minister, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Cardinal Michael Czerny and – during a general audience – also Pope Francis. Who Pope Francis takes time for on Wednesdays also depends on who is queuing at the moment. Dominique Hasler was lucky: on October 27, 2021 she was the highest-ranking politician – and was the first to come to the Pope.
The Holy See is “not amused” about Archbishop Wolfgang Haas
Did the Foreign Minister complain to the Pope about Archbishop Wolfgang Haas and inquire about the future of the Archdiocese of Vaduz? Prince Stefan remains silent about this.
But anyone who asks around in Rome knows that the Holy See is “not amused” about Archbishop Wolfgang Haas. Above all, his refusal to take part in the synodal process caused a stir in Rome.
Did Walser and Haas cover it up?
war of Abuse case in Ruggell topic between the foreign minister and the pope? The parents of a girl accuse Vicar General Markus Walser and Archbishop Wolfgang Haas of covering up and have complained in Rome. Stefan lets it be known that the government is watching the case with great concern – and refers to the ongoing proceedings. The judiciary works to the best of its knowledge and belief. Even from Carinthia, Prince Stefan overhears every controversy in the Archdiocese.
So far, the Foreign Ministry has been silent on the future of the archdiocese. What Foreign Minister Dominique Hasler and Nuncio Martin Krebs discussed at the ambassadors’ meeting remains a secret. But both should have a great interest in ensuring that 1997 does not repeat itself.
The 1997 drama
At that time, the nuncio in Bern, Archbishop Oriano Quilici, encountered closed doors when he drove up to Vaduz. Foreign Minister Andrea Willi, among others, received him instead of the prince. The nuncio presented them with a fait accompli: Pope John Paul II had decided to make Liechtenstein an archbishopric and to appoint Bishop Wolfgang Haas from Chur as the first archbishop of Vaduz.
It is an open secret that the princely house took Rome by surprise. The princely family valued the bishopric of Chur – one of the entire northern Alps.
Will “everything stay the same”?
The forced marriage with Wolfgang Haas did not later become a love marriage. For years, the archbishop has stayed away from the celebrations of the national holiday on August 15. A papal office used to be part of the program on the Fürstenwiese.
How much the question of succession has already progressed – Prince Stefan smiles about this question as well as about that This by the theologian Paul Zulehner, whereby the Archdiocese of Vaduz could be dissolved. Also the statement of the priest Adriano Burali, according to which Archbishop Wolfgang Haas assumes that that “everything stays the same”.Prince Stefan will not comment.
Related to the prince in more than five corners
Part-time ambassador: This means that there is still time for other things. Sure, Prince Stefan is in Rome from time to time. Since Liechtenstein does not have its own residence, he stays in a simple hotel there.
Prince Stefan is related to the prince in more than five corners. He is in the service of the Principality, although he has lived almost all his life abroad. For him, Liechtenstein is more than the small state on the Rhine anyway. For him, Liechtenstein is a code for Europe.
A castle near the Wörthersee
In an interview, Prince Stefan recalled his ancestors who lived in Italy, Hungary, Austria and Germany. “Liechtenstein is something that goes beyond the country,” said Prince Stefan years ago “Small newspaper”. 150 people worldwide would bear the name of Liechtenstein. Noblesse oblige.
Together with his brother, Prince Stefan runs Rosegg Castle near Lake Wörthersee. It is a large complex consisting of a classical castle and a zoo. Prince Stefan is more responsible for the art exhibitions, his brother for the animals.
Business with Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and Philipp Amthor
Prince Stefan enjoys the privilege of no longer having to do everything at the age of 60. He once studied business administration in Innsbruck. Various positions at banks and investment companies followed, including at UBS. Then he went into the diplomatic service: in 2001 he became ambassador in Bern, in 2007 in Berlin – and since 2017 the father of four has been responsible for the Holy See.
Prince Stefan has remained a businessman all his life. Even if he would probably no longer get involved in some constellations today. He made headlines with the company “Augustus Intelligence”. Prince Stefan wanted to make a big start in the field of artificial intelligence. But dazzling names like the former CSU Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg or the CDU MP Philipp Amthor brought negative press to the project.
On a discreet mission
The countdown is running. Archbishop Wolfgang Haas will be 75 on August 7, 2023. Then he must offer Pope Francis his resignation. It is quite possible that Prince Stefan will have several more talks in Rome by then. Even if he would never tell the media about it.
© Catholic Media Center, 10/28/2022
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