Pope Benedict XVI and top Vatican officials met June 15-16 with four representatives of the Austrian bishops' conference to discuss recent problems in the life of the church, including the controversy over the appointment of a bishop earlier this year.Cardinal Christoph Schonborn of Vienna, president of the bishops' conference, led the Austrian delegation, which included Bishop Ludwig Schwarz of Linz, the diocese to which Pope Benedict XVI had named Msgr. Gerhard Wagner as an auxiliary bishop in February.
In early March the Vatican announced that the pope had dispensed Msgr. Wagner from accepting the office; the monsignor had asked the pope to withdraw his nomination, citing the "fierce criticism" it had provoked.
The uproar over his appointment stemmed mainly from comments Msgr. Wagner made implying that Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was a punishment from God for "the spiritual pollution" and "amoral conditions" plaguing New Orleans.
As the comments gained more publicity in the wake of Msgr. Wagner's nomination, the senior clergy of the Linz Diocese met and gave a no-confidence vote to the nominee. The Austrian bishops then issued a statement saying they supported Msgr. Wagner's request to withdraw.
After a meeting Feb. 16 in Vienna, the bishops heading Austrian dioceses issued a statement supporting the pope's right to appoint bishops, but emphasizing the importance of local consultation as foreseen by church law.
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, told reporters that the June 15-16 meeting was designed to give Austrian church leaders and top Vatican officials an opportunity to discuss "problems regarding the church in Austria."
He said Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, was among the Vatican officials participating.
The Vatican-published schedule of Pope Benedict's commitments included time at the meeting both mornings.
In a brief statement published on the Web site of the Austrian bishops' conference, Cardinal Schonborn said, "We are grateful for this opportunity to have an open discussion on the common path of the church."
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