Fr. Gerhard Wagner, who had been appointed to auxiliary bishop of Linz, has asked Pope Benedict XVI to withdraw his appointment in the face of hysterical opposition by liberals in the diocese. Sadly, the Holy Father has accepted his resignation.

For those unfamiliar with this diocese, it is quite possibly the least orthodox diocese in Europe, which is saying quite a bit. Gillibrand at Catholic Church Conservation has documented much of the nonsense that occurs there over the past several years.

This episode has followed a pattern similar to the Regensburg address. The Holy Father does something that offends, those offended completely overreact, and he withdraws or modifies the offending action. The chief difference is that the liberals in Linz haven’t beheaded anyone, as far as I know.

The danger is that this will embolden the liberals, and the Pope will have an increasingly difficult time taking any action with which there is any significant disagreement.

This could also endanger regularization of the Society of St. Pius X, since these same liberals definitely oppose it.