(LifeSiteNews) — The official website of the Swiss Catholic bishops is calling for an apostolic investigation into one of those bishops for his criticism of Pope Francis.
In a recent video, Bishop Vitus Huonder, a former ordinary of the Swiss diocese of Chur, described Pope Francis’ reign as a “pontificate of rupture” that “breaks with tradition.”
Kath.ch, the official news site of the Catholic bishops in Switzerland, responded by publishing an opinion piece by its editor-in-chief, Charles Martig.
Martig called for an apostolic investigation into Huonder and accused traditional Catholics of “dividing the Church.” He claimed that they “pose a threat.”
“As long as the Vatican allows Vitus Huonder to function under the title of Bishop Emeritus of Chur, the church authorities will remain untrustworthy,” Martig wrote.
“The only viable way is an apostolic investigation.”
Martig revealed not only his disdain for Huonder and the Society of St. Pius X. (SSPX) but for traditional Catholics and the Traditional Latin Mass in general.
“With their backs to the people [sic], Latin prayers, and lots of glamour,” he said. “That’s how the followers of the Tridentine Mass love it. They defend their ancient rite – and criticize Pope Francis for his letter ‘Traditionis custodes,’ published in July 2021.”
“Since he clearly spoke out against the old rite of Mass and tightened the rules, the traditionalists have been up in arms,” Martig continued. “A limit has been reached. This is where the Vatican should intervene now.”
Kath.ch’s editor-in-chief furthermore claimed, erroneously, that Huonder has left the Catholic Church by siding with the SSPX.
“It is a scandal that a former bishop of Switzerland is leaving the Roman Catholic Church and defecting to the Society of St. Pius X,” Martig wrote. “This fraternity, which goes by the acronym FSSPX, is outside the church.”
While the question over the status of SSPX is still disputed in Catholic circles, Huonder has declared that Pope Francis himself told him that priests of the SSPX “are not schismatics.” It is furthermore implausible to claim that Huonder “is leaving the Roman Catholic Church,” because he shares the SSPX’s criticism of the current situation in the Church.
Martig called on the apostolic nuncio to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, Martin Krebs, to launch an investigation into Huonder. The newsman also criticized the Catholic archbishop of Liechtenstein, Wolfgang Haas, who is known for his orthodoxy.
“Who could put an end to this scandal?” Martig asked. “Nuncio Martin Krebs. The succession of Wolfgang Haas must be settled. Here, too, a problematic bishop is operating.”
READ: Archbishop of Liechtenstein cancels Mass with lawmakers over their support for same-sex ‘marriage’
We ask you to join us in thanking this faithful shepherd for his years of loving service to Christ and His Church.
Bishop Thomas Tobin of the Diocese of Providence, RI, known for his outspoken defense of the Church’s moral teachings on the sanctity of life, marriage, and human sexuality, has just resigned upon reaching the age of 75 on April 1.
SIGN: Thank you Bishop Tobin for answering God’s call to serve His Church
Here is our message to Bishop Tobin which you can sign:
In a statement to the diocese on the occasion of his resignation, Bishop Tobin thanked the faithful and clergy of Providence for their support over the years, encouraging them to remain steadfast in the faith. “I urge all the members of the church to remain steadfast in your faith, to be proud of the good work you are doing, and to be determined to carry on the work that Jesus has entrusted to you,” Tobin said.
As bishop, Tobin consistently raised his voice to clearly reiterate the perennial teachings of the Church that the life of the unborn is sacred, marriage is a lifelong union between one man and one woman, and the innocence of children must be protected in society.
He has also defended traditional Catholics who wish to worship according to the Church’s ancient liturgy in the Tridentine Latin Mass.
Unafraid to hold to account so-called “Catholic” politicians who aggressively promote abortion and oppose the protection of the lives of the unborn, in 2019 Tobin excoriated Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, who says he is Catholic but voted against the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Act, designed to protect children born alive during botched abortions from being left to die.
In the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election, Tobin called out the contradiction between a politician calling himself Catholic and yet rejecting Catholic teaching on the sanctity of life. In a tweet sent out on May 7, 2020, Tobin said one cannot be an “authentic” Catholic and hold a pro-abortion position.
“Just saw a headline in a Catholic newspaper with the phrase ‘pro-abortion Catholic.’ Sorry. That’s a contradiction in terms. You can’t be a Catholic, at least not an authentic one, and be ‘pro-abortion.’ Or ‘pro-choice.’ It’s the same thing,” the bishop said.
SIGN: Thank you Bishop Tobin for answering God’s call to serve His Church
Several months later Tobin again sparked a heated Twitter debate over what constitutes a Catholic when he sarcastically implied that then-presidential candidate Joe Biden isn’t one. The outspoken bishop was hammered on Twitter with ad hominem attacks after he posted the following:
Biden-Harris. First time in a while that the Democratic ticket hasn’t had a Catholic on it. Sad.
— Bishop Thomas Tobin (@ThomasJTobin1) August 11, 2020
Tobin doubled down on his criticisms of President Biden’s zeal for abortion in 2022, when he stated that he could not be “both a devout Catholic and a pro-abortion zealot”:
President Biden cannot be both a devout Catholic and a pro-abortion zealot. The two are mutually exclusive. He is a poor, lost and confused soul. Truly, we need to pray for him, everyday.
— Bishop Thomas Tobin (@ThomasJTobin1) September 23, 2022
Tobin’s courageous defense of the Church’s moral teachings was not limited, however, to standing up against the prominent pro-abortion advocates of the Left. He also earned their hatred with his public stance against LGBT ideology and intimidation.
On June 1, 2019, to mark the beginning of so-called “pride month”, the Rhode Island bishop tweeted that Catholics should not take part in “pride” events due to their conflict with the Catholic faith, making special note of the danger to children:
A reminder that Catholics should not support or attend LGBTQ “Pride Month” events held in June. They promote a culture and encourage activities that are contrary to Catholic faith and morals. They are especially harmful for children.
— Bishop Thomas Tobin (@ThomasJTobin1) June 1, 2019
The public stance made the bishop the target of high-volume vitriol from LGBT adherents and supporters, who moved swiftly to squash the Catholic shepherd’s advisory to his flock to remain faithful to “Catholic faith and morals,” demonstrating the resolve of anti-Catholic forces to silence Church teaching.
Several days later, Tobin issued the following statement, declaring it his obligation as a bishop to preach the truth of Christ “even on very difficult and sensitive issues”, affirming that he would continue to do so. He stated, “As a Catholic Bishop, however, my obligation before God is to lead the faithful entrusted to my care and to teach the faith, clearly and compassionately, even on very difficult and sensitive issues. That is what I have always tried to do – on a variety of issues – and I will continue doing so as contemporary issues arise.”
SIGN: Thank you Bishop Tobin for answering God’s call to serve His Church
Ever sensitive to the needs of the flock entrusted to this care, Tobin also supported those Catholics devoted to the ancient liturgy in the Traditional Latin Mass. In January 2022, during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, he encouraged “respect and support” for “members of our own Church who are devoted to [the] TLM,” affirming their fidelity to the Church, a notable public defense in the face of attacks from authorities in Rome, such as Cardinal Roche, who has dubbed those who love the ancient Mass “more Protestant than Catholic.”
In contrast, Bishop Tobin wrote:
In this Week of Prayer for #ChristianUnity, let’s also work to safeguard and promote “Catholic Unity.” In particular, let’s resolve to respect and support members of our own Church who are devoted to TLM. They are faithful Catholics who greatly love the Lord and his Church.
— Bishop Thomas Tobin (@ThomasJTobin1) January 18, 2022
Again, earlier this year, Tobin criticized the increased ostracization of traditional Catholics by Rome in a tweet that contrasted the heavy-handedness of the Vatican’s restrictions with the Pope’s call for accompaniment and listening. The prelate wrote,
The way the Vatican is dealing with the Traditional Latin Mass does not seem to me to be the “style of God.” Pope Francis himself has emphasized that those who are attached to the TLM should be “accompanied listened to, and given time.”
— Bishop Thomas Tobin (@ThomasJTobin1) February 21, 2023
With the courageous Bishop of Providence now retiring, the sentiments of Catholics grateful for his defense of life, family, and faith can perhaps not be put better than what was stated by those same Catholics several years ago: “Your clear and compassionate teaching gives hope to Catholics and Christians everywhere.”
In the words of Bishop Strickland, “Thanks for speaking up Bishop Tobin….let us be mighty loving messengers of truth and light in Jesus Christ.”
SIGN: Thank you Bishop Tobin for answering God’s call to serve His Church
MORE INFORMATION:
Bishop Thomas Tobin retires at age 75 – LifeSiteNews
The editor-in-chief of the Swiss Catholic news site furthermore seemed to defend the sacrilege committed by a woman who attempted to “concelebrate” a Catholic Mass last year by saying that the Vatican should go after traditional Catholics, instead.
READ: Two women attempt to concelebrate Mass at Catholic church in Switzerland
“Instead of accusing popular pastors with integrity of ‘liturgical abuse’ and having them investigated by the Vatican authorities, the traditionalists should rather be put on the church’s radar,” he wrote. “For they pose a threat. They cause unrest and divide the church.”
Kath.ch is known for its heterodoxy and opposition to traditional Catholic teaching and liturgy. In November 2022, the website even published a puff piece about the pro-abortion movie Call Jane.
In the recently published video, Huonder criticized Francis for undertaking “acts that are clearly contrary to Tradition.” He explicitly mentioned “syncretistic ritual acts, such as in Canada,” which LifeSiteNews also reported on.
Pointing to Pope Francis’ documents Traditionis Custodes (2021) and Desiderio Desideravi (2022), Huonder says that “the pope wants to eradicate the traditional Roman liturgy.”
The retired bishop also sees this current pope as an “outspoken supporter of the so-called World Religion.” For many faithful, the prelate adds, this is “a stumbling block.”
RELATED: Pope Francis said SSPX priests ‘are not schismatics’: retired Swiss bishop
LifeSiteNews reached out to Bishop Huonder for comment and shall update this report when he responds.