Fr. Wagner’s selection provoked his detractors to highlight his comments about Hurricane Katrina being God’s punishment on New Orleans for its sins. However, some analysts believe that the opposition to Fr. Wagner was due to his orthodox liturgical and doctrinal stances.
“It is not just about differences of opinion in terms of structures and methods, but ultimately the question of sacramental identity of the Catholic Church,” the bishops wrote. “This especially concerns the ordination for priests and deacons in relation to the general priesthood of all the baptized.”
They emphasized that the local church’s conversation with the Universal Church should be undertaken “on the basis of the Second Vatican Council.”
They also gave more background about the controversy over Fr. Wagner’s initial appointment.
“The theme of episcopal appointments is therefore important because since the mid-eighties in Austria it has been associated with a number of problems,” they said. “For many, the controversy over episcopal appointments led to the painful conflict, and they have triggered splits in the church. It is precisely in this area sensitivity is most appropriate.”
The bishops reaffirmed their support for bishop selection procedures “if this procedure is really followed.”
Before the Pope makes any final decision on an episcopal appointment, “reliable and thoroughly tested basic information must be provided on which he can rely.”
Noting that a number of bishops will be appointed in Austria in upcoming years, the Austrian bishops wrote that the faithful are “legitimately concerned” that the candidate search and selection be “carefully undertaken and with pastoral sensitivity.”
“This can ensure that bishops are appointed who are not ‘against’ but ‘for’ a local church. We bishops will make every possible effort to support the forthcoming episcopal appointments in the sense of monitoring these procedures in close cooperation with the relevant Vatican offices.”