Fr. Heinrich Walter. To our surprise, the current negotiations with the Pallottines (SAC), for the purchase of the pilgrimage area in Schoenstatt came to a standstill after the renewed round of negotiations on 25 January. We are sorry that we have to inform you of this.
To our surprise, the current negotiations with the Pallottines (SAC), for the purchase of the pilgrimage area in Schoenstatt came to a standstill after the renewed round of negotiations on 25 January. We are sorry that we have to inform you of this.
In addition to the previously clarified areas of agreement with the SAC, the demand for land or buildings in the proximity of house Wasserburg was made. It also became clear that the SAC has recently leased a portion of St. Mary’s house next to the Shrine, which we intended to purchase, indefinitely to another institution.
Consequently the previous basis for negotiation is no longer available. Further discussions are only possible if new facts are available.
In view of all expectations for 2014, and against the background of the global commitment to the Original Shrine, this situation concerns us greatly. This has influenced our pilgrimage as General Presidium here in Milwaukee from the beginning, and leaves us looking for an answer in faith in God’s guidance.
Milwaukee, 02 February 2013
On behalf of the General Presidium
Fr. Heinrich Walter
Translation: Fr. Andrew Pastore, Mary Cole – Team schoenstatt.org
In as far as the facts are known, I heartily endorse the opinion and position of Father Duncan McVicar.
In civil society any similar negotiations between parties which reveal after a period of time ‘bad faith’ and essential and vital facts contradictory to the spirit and common goal of the negotiations (contempt of court) of either one party or both, would result not only in a irreparable breakdown of trust but could also lend itself to a case being submitted to the civil and/or criminal authorities for ‘fraudulent negotiations’ followed by a trial and most probably sentence by the courts of the party found guilty.
Whether or not such a path is chosen, the party of ‘bad faith’ has damaged it’s reputation and honour in the public domain and will no longer be seen as a viable party for any future discussions or contacts i.e., it cannot be trusted and thereby does not have the overall objective ‘best interests and result’ at heart.
A telling axiom of current usage seems appropriate: What goes around, comes around.
David Musgrave, Schoenstatt Fathers, South Africa & United Kingdom
Dear Schoenstatt.Org!
The news about the Original Shrine and the standstill regarding the talks with the Pallotines fills us all with great sadness and also justifiable anger and frustration. Dealings with the Pallottines at Schoenstatt itself have never been easy, however, the latest news sinks to even more desperate levels. It is a sad and deeply painful experience to think that a religious community of priests in the modern Church cannot dialogue honestly and in a transparent and open fashion with Schoenstatt and find a dignified and sincere solution to the Original Shrine as a place of grace. It beggars belief that the Pallottines after so many months of negotiations have reduced themselves to the level of deliberately concealing essential information with the aim of misleading others. The priests and individuals involved stand humiliated and shamed in every country where this latest information has been sent. My hope is that the local Bishop or the Congregation for Clergy in Rome will now step in and resolve the situation by other means. Negotiations with the Pallottines in the light of these events seem to be an utter waste of time and energy. Yours faithfully, Fr Duncan McVicar SI