ROME (RNS/ENI) The Vatican newspaper has criticized the Swiss-born Roman Catholic theologian Hans Kung after he accused Pope Benedict XVI of an "unecumenical luring away" of discontented Anglicans.
A column signed by the editor of L'Osservatore Romano, Giovanni Maria Vian, in Thursday's (Oct. 29) edition said an article by Kung published in several European newspapers contained "lies and inaccuracies".
The Vatican announced in October that Benedict will set up a structure to allow former Anglicans to enter full communion with the Catholic Church, while preserving elements of Anglican spiritual and liturgical practices.
Observers have said the scheme is directed mainly at Anglicans who disagree with the ordination of women and of homosexuals.
In his article, published in English by The Guardian newspaper in London, Kung described Benedict's action as "a dramatic change of course: steering away from the well-proven ecumenical strategy of eye-level dialogue and honest understanding."
"The Roman thirst for power divides Christianity and damages its own church," Kung wrote. "It is a tragedy."
The Vatican revoked Kung's license to teach Catholic theology in 1979 after he criticized church teachings on papal infallibility and the virgin birth.
The Vatican newspaper accused Kung of distorting Benedict's intentions, "an action that aims at restoring the unity [of the Church] desired by Christ."
Benedict, who was then Joseph Ratzinger, was a colleague of Kung when both were theology professors at Germany's Tubingen University.
Five months after his election in 2005, Benedict invited Kung, to a friendly meeting.
However, "Since then, with influential media unfailingly repeating his words, Kung has several times criticized Benedict XVI harshly and without foundation," Vian wrote.
By Luigi Sandri
Copyright 2009 Religion News Service. All rights reserved. No part of this transmission may be distributed or reproduced without written permission.
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Kung is wrong and Benedict is right.
Let the rabble in Kung's mouth fall on the deaf ears that have brought Anglican gay activists to power.
Christians are Christians and those Anglicans leaving the evil being preached in those Church Of England buildings are doing well.
It's very sad that people believe the pope is infallible and speaking as God's mouthpiece on earth. Why do people believe it? Basically, because they've been told to believe it and discouraged from questioning it but I'm here to tell you that once you release yourself from the fear and question whether this is the truth, you will find that love and grace do not dissapear from your life and a whole lot of fear drops away. It's a very nice feeling and I'm glad that after 18 years of propaganda I had the courage to do just that.
Confessoressa: ".....after 18 years of propaganda I had the courage to do just that." Congratulations! That was an excellent move.
Todd,
Lighten up, guy. You are starting to come off more as a Toad.
Dr Kung is not wrong, our Pope is trying to undo all that Vatican II did. The Church must change and go forward not back, not to change does not mean we stay the same - we regress!
Hans Kung has ligitimately challenged the "management committee - the establishment", for too long we have been told what to do, these days we are better informed and are a thinking people, we will not be put off by the old propaganda.
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