Lay representatives criticize the return of Cardinal Woelki
Created: 03/03/2022, 08:50
Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki leaves the archbishop's house.
©Oliver Berg/dpa
The chairman of the Cologne diocesan council - the representation of the laity - has criticized the return of Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki.
He was skeptical whether there could be a chance for a new beginning with Woelki in view of the high number of people leaving the church in the archdiocese, the enormous loss of trust and "high irritation" in almost all communities.
That said Tim Kurzbach, chairman of the diocesan council of Catholics in the Archdiocese of Cologne, on Thursday in the "Morgenecho" on WDR 5.
Cologne – He emphasized: "It's good that we talked about it, it's not enough."
After fierce protests against his return as archbishop of Cologne, Woelki offered the pope his resignation.
But first he took over the management of the largest German diocese on Wednesday after a five-month break.
According to the Archdiocese, Pope Francis wants to decide on Woelki's future "in due course".
Kurzbach, who is also SPD mayor of Solingen, said it was difficult to understand that an "adult person" would have to offer to resign instead of simply resigning.
In the "system" the pope has the "omnipotence to decide".
more on the subject
All bodies in the Archdiocese of Cologne against the return of Woelki
All bodies in the Archdiocese of Cologne against the return of Woelki
Cardinal Woelki offers the Pope his resignation
The Pope bears the responsibility for almost two million believers in the diocese.
He was very skeptical as to whether Woelki had reconsidered his previous no to urgently needed reforms during the five-month break.
It is clear: "I'm here, I want to continue first and then we'll see what the Pope says - that doesn't help us."
Woelki had taken the break after Pope Francis had certified “big mistakes”, especially in his communication.
The Archdiocese of Cologne has been in a crisis since Woelki decided in 2020 not to initially publish an expert opinion on how diocese officials deal with cases of child sexual abuse.
dpa
