The former abbot of Einsiedeln, Martin Werlen (60), criticizes the founding of the archdiocese of Vaduz 25 years ago: “An archdiocese was not created for the people, but to solve a problem in Chur.” If an archbishop à la Wolfgang Haas (74) were to be extended again, it would be a “suicide for the church”.

Raphael Rauch

Martin Werlen is in his element and is reaching for the stars. It is reminiscent of its namesake, Martin Luther King. Once upon a time: “The stars only shine in the dark.” Martin Werlen finds this an aphorism that is often misunderstood. This is how you can romanticize suffering. This is how you can give meaning to wounds.

Martin Werlen provoked Wolfgang Haas with altar boys

And yet the metaphor fits the situation in the Archdiocese of Vaduz. Especially on Candlemas, when the candles are blessed for the year. “Be great lights to one another,” says Martin Werlen in the service and does not hide the fact that he misses the great lights in the clergy of the Archdiocese of Vaduz.

Martin Werlen and Archbishop Wolfgang Haas – these are two very special confreres. When Wolfgang Haas, then Bishop of Chur, came to Einsiedeln for the consecration of the auxiliary bishops Vollmar and Henrici, Martin Werlen, as the ceremonialist, made sure that the altar servers and lectors were assigned . A church-political statement – ​​and a provocation for Wolfgang Haas, who only tolerates women in the high altar as Madonna or as a cleaning lady.

“God, Prince, Fatherland”

On this Candlemas Day, Martin Werlen is a guest in Schaan FL to give a laudation on the “Association for an Open Church”. It was founded on February 2, 1998 – as a reaction to the new Archdiocese of Vaduz. The Holy See raised this on December 2, 1997 – above and beyond the people of Liechtenstein.

The festival of Maria Candlemas has still not lost its splendor in the Principality of Liechtenstein – it is a public holiday. The parish church in Schaan is decorated for Christmas, Christmas trees and poinsettias compete with each other. Above the parish church, in the monastery of St. Elisabeth, the hall and parking lot are full. A sticker is emblazoned on a car: “God, Prince, Fatherland”. Liechtenstein in miniature.

“The Swiss bishops share responsibility”

“I don’t know whether the letter of thanks from Archbishop Wolfgang Haas has already arrived,” says Martin Werlen ironically on the club’s silver anniversary. The joke works, among other things, the Archbishop of Vaduz rejects the “Association for an Open Church”. “In the name of the Church, I thank you for your work,” confirms Martin Werlen.

The Benedictine added self-critically: “The Swiss bishops share responsibility for the disaster in Vaduz. We were silent because we were glad that Wolfgang Haas was no longer Bishop of Chur.” Liechtenstein was sacrificed in favor of Chur.

«Wolfgang Haas is not capable of being a bishop»

“You can only see the stars in the dark.” Martin Werlen’s laudatory speech is first about the night – and later about the shine of the stars. “The diocese of Chur had a bishop who was not capable of being a bishop,” commented the former abbot of Einsiedeln, Wolfgang Haas. “It’s not a guilty verdict. But there is more to being a bishop than ordination. A bishop needs the trust of the people. If the majority of the faithful do not trust their bishop, he cannot exercise his office.”

Martin Werlen is convinced: If Wolfgang Haas had been great, he would have offered the Pope his resignation. “He should have given up the bishopric out of concern for the people,” says Martin Werlen. But he was “not ready or able” to do so.

“Spiritual Abuse”

Martin Werlen sees the main responsibility for the misery in Vaduz in the promotion to the top through Rome. ‘An archdiocese was established for the bishop, not for the people. We still notice that to this day,” criticizes Martin Werlen and affirms: “Whoever goes over us, goes over us. These are sad power games in the church, this is spiritual abuse.”

The plain text of the Benedictine works. In the hall are people who have been fighting for a church in today’s world for centuries. Whom their own archbishop accuses of behaving schismatically. At the end of the lecture, Günther Boss from the “Association for an Open Church” says that the lecture was “balm for the soul” for him.

Even Cardinal Meisner had trouble with Wolfgang Haas

Martin Werlen is convinced: «Rome will not be able to avoid asking for forgiveness. You can’t just walk past people like that.” The problems in the Archdiocese of Vaduz were foreseeable. The difficulties have increased because “the archbishop is not involved in any bishops’ conference,” says Martin Werlen.

Even the staunchly conservative Cologne Cardinal Joachim Meisner was not happy that Wolfgang Haas stayed away from the deliberations on liturgical questions in German-speaking countries. And yet: All bishops accepted Wolfgang Haas’ absence. Martin Werlen tells how Meisner said in a meeting: “This is the responsibility of the Archbishop of Vaduz.” It’s about the people, not the archbishop, replied Werlen.

“Suicide for the Church”

Archbishop Wolfgang Haas turns 75 on August 7 of this year and has to offer his resignation to Pope Francis. On the one hand, Martin Werlen is full of hope. Pope Francis will not make a mistake à la Wolfgang Haas: “That would be suicide for the church.”

The people of Liechtenstein would also be luckier with the current nuncio, Martin Krebs. “His predecessor, Nuncio Thomas Gullickson, celebrated Chrism Mass in the Tridentine rite with Wolfgang Haas – as if the Second Vatican Council had not existed,” says Martin Werlen. On Monday it was announced that the conservative Cardinal Marc Ouellet on April 12 is no longer Prefect of the Episcopal Dicastery. Martin Werlen is convinced: “That should also be positive.”

Rest ramp for rejected candidates for the priesthood

But Martin Werlen also has doubts. “People don’t worry me. They will welcome the archbishop with open arms,” says the Benedictine. “I worry about the clergy. Most men moved to Liechtenstein because of Archbishop Wolfgang Haas. When a calling depends on the bishop, the foundation doesn’t support it.”

Especially since Liechtenstein became a kind of resting place for rejected candidates for the priesthood. Martin Werlen remembers a priest who was himself rejected by Cardinal Joachim Meisner – and then made a career in Liechtenstein and Rome.

Limburg rejects Mann – Wolfgang Haas consecrates him anyway

Currently there is also the case of Thomas Jäger to talk: The diocese of Limburg rejected the German theology student as a priest. Wolfgang Haas inaugurated it despite concerns from Limburg. The public prosecutor’s office is now investigating allegations of abuse. It is the presumption of innocence.

“For 25 years, Liechtenstein has lost more and more of what is Catholic: the breadth, the comprehensive, life in community, in relationships, in benevolence, being on the way,” says Martin Werlen.

“Unexpected view of the sky”

“The stars only shine in the dark.” After the dark night, Martin Werlen reaches for the stars. By this he means, for example, the “Association for an Open Church”. He says to the members: “You haven’t lost faith in the church.” And: “I am grateful for your commitment. Thank you that we were able to celebrate First Communion and Confirmation for people from the Principality of Liechtenstein in St. Gerold and in Einsiedeln.»

Martin Werlen is convinced: “If we as a church are not with the people, we surprise our vocation.” And: “You gave us an unexpected view of the sky. God bless you for your testimony of faith.”

The family groups of yesteryear are still there today

Martin Werlen’s words are well received. Visibly touched, a woman later reports how small family groups were founded 25 years ago in order to live an open form of being Catholic. “These family groups still exist today,” says the woman through tears. She is looking forward to the moment when the darkness disappears in the Archdiocese of Vaduz – and the stars still shine.