As a result of comments on celibacy made by the new president of the German bishops' conference, Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, divisions are beginning to appear in the German church. Christian Weisner, spokesperson for 'We are Church', has said that the archbishop's comments mean that the topic is now not taboo. He goes on to say it is an issue that many priests are 'dying to discuss'.
On the other side, Bishop Walter Mixa of Augsburg has said that reopening the debate on priestly celibacy is 'not helpful'. He went on to say: "The Church should not allow itself to be pressurised from the outside into discussing Zeitgeist issues."
Who does Bishop Mixa consider to be 'outsiders' and who is 'Church'?
Auxiliary bishop of Cologne, Heiner Koch said that discussing priestly celibacy was, "a most deplorable and specifically German habit of repeatedly returning to a pet topic". On the face of it that sounds quite an amazing statement.
But please note these comments have been reported to the media. Hopefully the quotations are accurate.
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