Thursday, August 22, 2024

Hollerich: There are no political machinations in the Church

Luxembourg's Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich has declared that there are no political machinations in the Church within the framework of synodality. 

The whole people of God on all continents are heard so that the whole Church can walk together, he told the newspaper "La Croix International" on Tuesday. 

At the same time, he praised the Church in Africa for recognising its own value and speaking without fear. 

"Your participation in the Synod on Synodality is significant," said the cardinal.

Hollerich, who is also the relator general of the Synod on Synodality, visited Benin last weekend. 

During his stay, he took part in the 70th national Marian pilgrimage to Our Lady of Arigbo in Dassa-Zoume with the bishops of the West African country. He himself emphasised that he had come to Benin to learn from the Church in Africa and to bring inspiration to Europe. 

At the same time, he criticised the "sometimes very boring" festivals in Europe: "People don't always put their hearts into it. It becomes a mere ceremony, a rite," said the Cardinal. "In Europe, we talk more about tradition than faith. But tradition is only understood if there is the faith to interpret it."

Hollerich is Archbishop of Luxembourg and one of Pope Francis' advisors on the nine-member Council of Cardinals. 

At the Synod on Synodality, which will enter its second round in autumn, the Luxembourg cardinal is the relator general and content coordinator.