Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Bishop Petrus Maria Martinus "Tiny" Muskens of the diocese of Breda in the Netherlands.He is succeeded by Mgr. Johannes Harmannes Jozefus van den Hende, until now coadjutor in the see.
Not yet 72, Bishop Muskens is over three years from the usual retirement age of 75, but has surrendered the pastoral governance of the diocese in conformance with can. 401 § 2 of the Code of Canon Law.
The canon states, "A diocesan Bishop who, because of illness or some other grave reason, has become unsuited for the fulfilment of his office, is earnestly requested to offer his resignation from office."
Bishop Muskens gained notoriety in 2006 by advocating the use of condoms to stop AIDS.
The bishop told Radio Netherlands that the use of condoms can be acceptable for AIDS prevention and cited the Catholic theological position of the “lesser evil” to defend his idea.
Muskens was quoted saying, “It is permissible to opt for the lesser evil of condom use to prevent the greater evil of AIDS.”
Earlier this year he was quoted on Dutch television encouraging Catholic faithful to pray to God as "Allah" in order to promote a better relationship between Catholics and Muslims.
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