This weekend, on March 19^th, the Swiss theologian, Hans Kung celebrates his 88^th birthday.  A man of significance in the life of the Church during the years of the Council where he was one of theologians invited to advise the Council Fathers the periti. Some were appointed to support and advise individual bishops, others were appointed to the Council in general. Hans Kung was one such expert. Another, Joseph Ratzinger, served as peritus to Cardinal Josef Frings, Archbishop of Cologne, in Germany , later taking the name Benedict XVI when he was elected Pope in the conclave that followed the death of John Paul II.

 A prolific writer with many significant books to his credit he was a teacher and speaker with a world-wide impact. He was appointed a professor at Tubingen in 1960, the university that was to be his home in the coming years. His views on infallibility inevitably lead to a clash with Rome and, in 1979, only a short time into the papacy of Karol Wojtyła, he was stripped of his licence as a catholic teacher, the missio canonica.

 In subsequent years, Kung continued his critical analysis of the Church that he has been faithful to all his life. In spite of significant controversy that has surrounded his professional life as a theologian, he remained and still remains within the Catholic community that has been his home.

 In the last few days, the National Catholic Reporter in the US and the Tablet here in the UK , have simultaneously published an “urgent appeal to Pope Francis to permit an open and impartial discussion on infallibility of pope and bishops”.  In that statement he writes “It is certainly not the case of me personally wanting to be right. The well-being of the Church and of ecumenism is at stake”.

 Given the openness that has been the hall mark of Francis since he became Bishop of Rome, is it too much to hope that in this Year of Mercy, Francis will countenance discussion of Kung’s argument? Much of Kung’s criticism surrounds the absolutist-centralist position of the papacy and the evident need for the collegiality propounded by the Council to become a reality. This is reflected in so much of the teaching we receive from Francis, the need to recognise the diversity of those faithful to the Christian message, their cultural background and social circumstances. One size does not fit all, it is an artificial construct to believe that it is possible.

 Kung wrote his own Open Letter to the Bishops published in 2010, defining the issues facing the Church that he saw as crucial in the early years of a new century. He received not a single response to his statement of concern. He commented that “Not only was there no positive reaction, but also no negative reaction, only complete and utter silence”. Had Kung become so much of an outcast that no one dare comment for fear of being tainted by association with him?  Read his letter again, it is available on the web, and you will appreciate the words of someone deeply concerned with the integrity of the Church, a man who speaks from the depth of personal conviction, shaped by his years of theological research and teaching. In the last interview given by Cardinal Martini, and published posthumously, the Cardinal spoke of the Church being 200 years behind the times. Why can’t we listen to prophets whilst they are still alive? But for his age and poor health, Carlo Martini may well have been a significant presence in the Consistory that elected Jorge Bergolio. How refreshing, and vital, these last three years have been, with his example of a simple faith and a life of commitment to the poor that has been the gift of Francis to the Church.

 Maybe we are now entering a period of real dialogue and that a pilgrim Church will thrive in a new landscape. We have nothing to fear from openness and honesty in our exchanges. Only an attempt to hide in the cloud of secrecy will damage faith.

 Kung’s writing has been a serious and valued contribution to our discussion in recent years since the Council.

 A most significant and charitable action towards Kung would be for Francis to restore Kung’s credentials as a Catholic Teacher who, throughout these difficult years has remained a priest in good standing. The restoration of Teilhard de Chardin, and of many others, only came after their death. It would be a pity if history were to repeat itself.

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