Cardinal Meisner, one of the four "Amoris Laetitia Dubia" cardinals, has died "peacefully in his sleep".
Cardinal Joachim Meisner, the archbishop emeritus of Cologne who was a strong defender of the Church’s doctrine and orthodoxy, has died at the age of 83.
The German cardinal died “peacefully” after falling asleep while on vacation in Bad Füssing, Cologne’s Domradio reported on Wednesday, citing the archdiocese.
Cardinal Rainer Woelki of Cologne said he fell asleep at his bedside after having prepared to celebrate Mass and with his breviary in hand.
Born in Breslau in what was then Germany but now known as Wrocław in Poland, Cardinal Meisner led Germany’s largest diocese for 25 years from 1989 to 2014. He was considered for many years to be one of the country’s most influential bishops who had a close relationship with Pope St. John Paul II, and especially with Benedict XVI.
The cardinal made strong interventions to uphold faith and morals, in particular against abortion and assisted suicide, and was an outspoken critic of secularism.
“Wherever culture is separated from the worship of God,” he once said, “cult atrophies in ritualism and culture becomes degenerate.”
Last September, he put his name to the dubia, a series of 5 questions to the Holy Father asking him to clarify contentious passages in his apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia that have been subject to varying interpretations. The Pope has yet to respond to the dubia, or to grant the other cardinals — Walter Brandmüller, Carlo Caffarra and Raymond Burke — an audience.
In comments to the Register, Cardinal Burke said in tribute to the German cardinal that it had been “a great gift to me to know Cardinal Joachim Meisner over the past years.
“He has inspired me deeply by his profound love of Christ and of His Mystical Body, the Church,” Cardinal Burke said. “He spared no effort in showing that love clearly and courageously in practice. May he be granted the reward of the good and faithful servant. May he rest in peace.”
During the 2005 conclave, Cardinal Meisner led resistance against the so-called St. Gallen group of churchmen who were lobbying against the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.
Biographical information provided today by the Vatican:
The Cardinal Joachim Meisner, Archbishop emeritus of Köln (Germany), was born on 25 December 1933 in Breslau, Silesia, Germany (present-day Wroclaw, Poland).
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dawn Marie on
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God be merciful +
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Permalink Reply by Flavia Talladen Schott on
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ETERNAL rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
Am sad to hear this. He was my favorite bishop when I was yet by the conciliar church., I kissed his hand several times after Mass preceding New Year, he used to stand at the main portal to greet Mass-goers and wish them all the best for the coming year. On one occassion, I had the privilege of sitting near to him at a people's dinner he donated on occassion of the Cathedral's feast in 2011. He was a very warm host, told us stories, and witty, too, very much loved by people.
I do believe he had influenced BXVI in many ways.
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Permalink Reply by David Kaftal on
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Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. Amen. He will certainly be missed.
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Cardinal Meisner’s Witness Concerning Fatima and the Dubia LINK HERE
A very strong tribute...who knew? I never even heard of this dear soul before the dubia :(
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The Face is the Monstrance of the Heart. On theVolto Santo, the Heart of God becomes Visible. + Joachim Card. Meisner, Archbishop of Cologne, Pax Vobis! 4/4/2005
Thanks for sharing the link.
Well, I knew him about more than two decades, I was so privileged to hear his homilies, and I even kissed his hand/ring several times. He was a warm person, he loved to mingle with the people.
From his homilies, one could really interpret the challenges and obstacles he encountered even among the clergy in his own diocese - in defence of the faith. His successor might shed a tear for him now, and might even regret having publicly mentioned his indifference towards him pertaining current issues.
Today, I wanted to visit his wake at St. Gereon's, but the whole city is too crowded also because of a certain musical summer jam. I wish to attend his burial, God willing.
May he rest in peace.
Dawn Marie said:Cardinal Meisner’s Witness Concerning Fatima and the Dubia LINK HERE
A very strong tribute...who knew? I never even heard of this dear soul before the dubia :(
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I hope you get to go at least to his burial.
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I pray, ...
Dawn Marie said:I hope you get to go at least to his burial.
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