Cardinal Sodano Decries KĂĽng Criticism of Pope

Dean of the College of Cardinal's Offers an Eyewitness Account of the Real Benedict XVI to counter Hans Kungs' criticism.KĂĽng was suspended by the Holy See in 1979 because of his teachings against the Catholic faith.

VATICAN CITY (Zenit) - The dean of the College of Cardinals says that fraternal critiques are always possible in the Church, but that generic, bitter ones do not contribute anything.

Cardinal Angelo Sodano affirmed this Wednesday to Vatican Radio in response to an interview with the theologian Hans KĂĽng published by the French and Italian press.

KĂĽng, who was suspended by the Holy See in 1979 because of his teachings against the Catholic faith, particularly criticized Benedict XVI's January decision to remove the excommunication of four Society of St. Pius X bishops. He also attacked Church teachings and discipline in issues such as celibacy for the clergy and artificial contraception. The theologian claimed that these teachings put the Church in a "minority" position.

But Cardinal Sodano had a different viewpoint to offer. He said that regarding the lifting of the excommunication of the Lefebvrites, the Pope "who has been placed by the Holy Spirit to govern the Holy Church of God, is working a lot for unity in this important hour of history."

The cardinal said he was "hurt" by reading the interview, and contended that the accusations were "unproven, generic affirmations."

The prelate declared: "Fraternal critique is always possible in the Church, since the times of St. Peter and St. Paul. A bitter critique, on the other hand, and more if it is so generic, does not contribute to the good of the Church."

"Personally," he added, "I am a witness of the determination of the Holy Father to make the Church a family, the family of the children of God."

And the cardinal reflected, "I don't understand how an Italian newspaper, well up to date on the work of the Pope, has wanted to offer so much publicity to this interview."