At 81: Francis Retires German Bishop Who Ensured that Pagans Remain Pagans
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Alfert handed in his resignation in 2016 when he turned 75. He arrived in Paraguay from Germany as an OMI missionary in 1972. His aunt was a religious in Brasil.
Ten aboriginal groups live in Pilcomayo, each with their own idea of God, Alfert told Kirche-und-Leben.de (August 2017), "We don't want to turn them into Catholics" [but evangelicals will convert them to Protestantism].
Alfert is interested in land reforms and wants to fight for the Indians to remain pagans ("to preserve their religion").
Parish life is carried “by the faithful,” he said. "When I come to a village, I first ask what I have to do, instead of the other way round."
He recalled that he came to a church service. "The reading had been read and the sermon had already been delived." Then a parishioner said: "Our bishop has been sitting there for a quarter of an hour. Let's hear what he has to say".
No wonder, Francis kept Alfert so long in office.
Irony of history: Maria Engelport Monastery where Alfert completed his noviciate, was abandoned by the dying OMI in 2013 and is now a Roman Rite Monastery of the Sisters of Christ the King Institute.
Picture: Screenshot, #newsHkgquycnxr
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