Legalistic: Cardinal Criticises Decree of Dicastrery for Laity Against Lay Communities

The June 11 decree of the Vatican Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life which puts lay communities under additional legal restraints, shows too little recognition for their spiritual value, and is too obsessed about control, retired Curia Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes, 86, told Die-Tagespost.de (June 20).

The previously extensive freedom of lay organisations will be radically limited. They will no longer be able to independently determine the allocation of offices, the length of terms of office, and the inclusion of members in elections.

According to Cordes, the decree gives the impression that it is dealing with a matter “that is annoying and must be contained,” and shows no interest in encouraging the spiritual vitality of the movements.

Cordes is surprised that the decree shows no gratitude that God has given the Church in our secularised times lay members who carry God among the people. Instead, the dicastery insists on its “legal competence.”

Picture: Paul Josef Cordes, © Karl-Michael Soemer, wikicommons CC BY-SA, #newsNpqnifgbsx