Cardinal Karl Lehmann of Mainz said this in a new book, extracts of which were published by the German Catholic news agency KNA.

"In the name of the law, these unlawful outside influences must be set aside and a proper voice given to those who'll be living with the chosen candidate," Cardinal Lehmann said.

He said "unauthorised people" were interfering in episcopal nominations "also today, unfortunately, under the pontificate of Pope Francis".

"If there really is something against a candidate, then the nuncio or Rome must talk about it with the cathedral chapter," the cardinal said.

"Rome cannot just reject names without any comment," he added.

"In recent years, the official list of names has been crossed out and a new list sent from Rome.

"This represents a burdensome, intolerable disrespect for the church in a given country."

In 13 of Germany's 27 dioceses, as well as in some dioceses of Switzerland and Austria, cathedral chapters, made up of senior clerics, traditionally propose their own candidates for bishop.

However, Cardinal Lehmann said he believed the nomination process was being disrupted by people "focused on a strict church policy allowing no deviation" and who had "knowledge of how things work in Rome".

"Much greater attention should be given to an episcopal candidate's theological competence than his formal orthodoxy," the cardinal said.

"There's an urgent need for clarification - otherwise, the whole appointment process will come into question."

In the normal process for the appointment of a new bishop, a set of three names, or "terna," is sent to Rome by the apostolic nuncio after consultations with local priests and bishops.

However, the final choice rests with the Pope, following recommendations from the Roman Curia, which can reject the "terna" and request new names.

Sources

• Catholic News Service
• Image: National Catholic Reporter

A YouGov survey covered more than 1500 clergy from the Church of England, the Church in Wales and the Scottish Episcopal Church.

As many as 16 per cent were "unclear" about God and two per cent thought God is merely a human construct.

The YouGov poll found that three per cent believe there is some sort of spirit or life force.

Clergy were significantly more likely to hold unorthodox beliefs the older they were and the longer they had been in ministry.

Rev. David Paterson, a retired Church of England priest, said there was no conflict in preaching while being unable to believe in God.

"I preach using God's terminology, but never with the suggestion that God actually exists.

"Once you have accepted that religion is a human creation, then it is like art and literature and things like that.

"They are an extremely valuable way to understand yourself."

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Dealing with U.S. women religious, these bishops' actions appear governed more by a desire to enforce obedience than to develop fidelity in our sisters.

Catholics see through this guise. They are upset, fed up with the likes of this behavior. They are speaking out. Soon they will be on the streets making their voices heard. You can count on it.

What the bully bishops claim to be matters of orthodoxy are really matters of pastoral style. They are the results of an unwillingness among our bishops to enter into sincere and mutually repectful dialogue with the women. None of the issues at hand has anything to do with the Creed. They stem from the actions of a small group of misdirected and fearful men determined to take catholic out of Catholic while judging, silencing and demeaning those who stand in their way.

Most of our bishops are not part of this clique. Most find themselves in near-impossible situations, part of a culture that demands they accede, at least publicly, to these abusive actions, knowing full well they are draining life and spirit out of the very women — these exemplary, faithful women — who sustain their diocesan and parish communities.

Against the best interests of their local churches, our bishops keep their silence, cognizant that if they speak up in support of the sisters, they will be removed from their positions, as have other bishops who have spoken out against the bullying.

This is an especially difficult time for Catholics who recognize the need and place for legitimate church authority in a world in need of Gospel guidance. Catholics and others cannot help but see the episcopal attacks on our sisters in the context of decades of sexual abuse cover-up. Why, they ask, point the finger at the women when the times demand deep critical self-introspection? Continue reading

Sources

• Thomas C Fox in National Catholic Reporter
• Image: The Guardian