Homosex Basel Bishop Felix Gmür has caused turmoil in Kreuzlingen, Switzerland.
The parish is run by Father Jan Walentek, a Polish Redemptorist who lives with two Polish confreres in the town’s Redemptorist house.
Kreuzlingen belongs to a so-called "pastoral region." The diocese designated a female pastoral assistant as its leader, since Walentek showed modest organisational skills. This would have turned the parish-priest into a "collaborating priest." The Redemptorists were not happy about this.
In addition, Bishop Gmür ordered Walentek to allow lay sermons, because this is a “custom" in Basel diocese which however contradicts Canon Law. Walentek refused.
A meeting between the bishop and the Polish superior of the Redemptorists caused a break. The superior decided to recall his priests. As a consequences, Kreuzlingen's Redemptorist house will likely be closed down.
The local parish council is angry about Gmür's inability to find a compromise. He calls the departure of the priests in …More