A group of Austrian priests has vehemently criticized Pope Benedict XVI'sdecision to promote an ultraconservative pastor who suggested Hurricane Katrina was provoked by sin in New Orleans, the group's head said today.The Vatican announced Jan. 31 that the Rev. Gerhard Maria Wagner, 54, would become auxiliary bishop in Linz, the capital of Upper Austria province.
The decision has sparked an outcry from Catholics who warn the unexpected pick could push people to leave the church.
Wagner, among other things, has questioned whether the "noticeable" increase of natural disasters such as Katrina was a result of pollution caused by humans or the result of "spiritual pollution." He also characterized Harry Potter novels as "Satanism."
Franz Wild, chief church dean of Upper Austria province and pastor in the town of Traun, is among those leading the criticism of Wagner.
In a telephone interview with the Associated Press, Wild confirmed that 31 out of 35 Upper Austrian church deans present during an informal meeting late Tuesday had criticized Wagner's nomination.
"We just can't imagine Gerhard Maria Wagner as bishop," Wild said. "As bishop, the key is to unite and bring people closer together ... Wagner just doesn't have what it takes."
Wild described the Pope's decision as "incomprehensible" and said he could think of several highly qualified candidates who were better suited for the post. Wagner was not on a list of names submitted to the Vatican for consideration by the Linz diocese.
General criticism of the Vatican is also being heard from high-ranking Austrian clerics such as Salzburg's Archbishop Alois Kothgasser.
Although he declined to comment directly on Wagner's nomination, Kothgasser warned in a recent statement about the future of the church.
"Should the Catholic Church be shrunk to the point where it's like a cult, with only a few members that toe the official line?" Kothgasser asked.
The Vatican incensed many Jews last month by rehabilitating a bishop who publicly denied 6 million Jews were killed during the Holocaust.
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(Source: FCC)