To the archbishop’s pension – the dubious legacy of Wolfgang Haas – culture

The pugnacious archbishop of Vaduz has polarized during his office. On August 7, he will be 75 and retire. A look back.

This news immediately triggered protests: in 1988 it became known that Wolfgang Haas was to become Bishop of Chur. Believers then protested with banners. One said “Wolf gang!”, another said “Bisch off”.

Demonstrators said they wanted more democracy in the Roman Catholic Church or more rights for women.

It all started when Pope John Paul II appointed Wolfgang Haas auxiliary bishop with “right of succession”. What sounds harmless was a papal declaration of war on the diocese of Chur. Because this has a documented right to have a say in the election of its bishop. That was exactly what the now canonized Pope had overturned.

Deaf in both ears

Despite fierce protests, Haas became a bishop – and set about pushing through his arch-conservative views. Haas did not respond to the wishes of the church base – for example for more rights for women, for co-determination or a greater involvement of lay people.

In an interview with SRF in 1990, the bishop replied to his critics: “It will certainly take some effort to win over these people – if it is to succeed at all. But I have faith in the grace of God.”

Thunderbolt from the Vatican

Haas failed to win the trust. On the contrary: A violent diocese dispute developed, at the climax of which Zurich Catholics refused to transfer church tax money to Chur.

Legend:

Conservative churchmen among themselves: John Paul II with Wolfgang Haas in 1995 in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Pope had appointed Haas auxiliary bishop with “right of succession”.

KEYSTONE/AP Photo/Massimo Sambucetti

Then in 1997 came the thunderbolt from Rome: Haas had to go. So that the pope and his bishop did not completely lose face, Haas was formally promoted – to the Archdiocese of Vaduz, which of course had to be created first.

Archbishop against the zeitgeist

The dispute now shifted to the principality, although the archbishop protested that he wanted to be a heart bishop. But he never was. In the beginning, Wolfgang Haas was still among the people, for example when he held the field mass on the castle grounds on the Liechtenstein national holiday.

In 2011, Liechtenstein introduced same-sex partnerships. Haas was strictly against it. From then on he stayed away from the field mass on the state holiday. He isolated himself in a world that was getting smaller and smaller.

Money as a “demon”

Nevertheless, as in Chur, he also had supporters in Liechtenstein. There never were many. But they appreciated that the archbishop, dressed in magnificent robes, bucked the zeitgeist.

For example in a sermon in 2010, at the height of the Liechtenstein financial affair: «All for the glory of God, all for the sake of God. Please not: everything to honor mammon and everything for the sake of mammon, i.e. everything to honor this idol and demon.»

Legend:

In 1997, the apostolic nuncio Oriano Quilici handed over the miter and staff to Wolfgang Haas, thereby completing the ceremonial investiture of the archbishop in Vaduz Cathedral.

KEYSTONE/ARNO BALZARINI

Haas described the money as “idols” and “demon”. In the land of many banks, foundations and trust companies, this sermon was a powerful piece.

A dubious legacy

But his personnel policy will be remembered even more strongly. Liechtenstein has only ten parishes. But Haas installed or ordained dozens of priests. They often attracted attention because of their arch-conservative views. The authorities found Hitler’s “Mein Kampf” and child pornography in a pastor appointed by Haas.

Many of these priests will remain active after Haas retires. They are his real legacy.