Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

The article is a message from Father Hans Küng, a Swiss Catholic priest and an old friend of the Pope, to the Catholic bishops on the fifth anniversary of Pope Benedict’s XVI election to the Vatican. He believes that his letter is sincere, as the Church is passing through the worst crisis of credibility since the age of reformation. Father Kung refers in his letter to the missed chances to converge with the Protestant Church, reconcile with the Jews, and further discourse with Muslims. The Catholic Church also missed the chance to set up a state of reconciliation with the indigenous peoples of South America, as well as the chance to help the African peoples. He blames the Pope for his hostile attitude toward the Second Vatican Council and his attempts to apologize for recent sexual scandals. He states that more than ten thousand priests have resigned from their offices because of the celibacy vow, only since the Second Vatican Council. Due to the decreasing number of priests, more bishoprics have merged into bigger pastoral areas, and this burdens pastors with more responsibilities. Father Küng also refers to the attempts to cover the child abuse scandals. The consequences of these crises are very painful for the church. He poses six suggestions, which he believes to be most accepted by millions of Catholics. He calls on bishops not to keep silent, to undertake reformation, to work collectively, to fully obey the Lord, to work on finding regional solutions, and to call for a council to discuss the church problems.