Theologian Batlogg in favour of renaming the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Munich theologian Andreas Batlogg argues in favour of renaming the Solemnity of the Conception of theVirgin Mary on 8 December. The full name "Solemnity of the Virgin and Mother of God Mary conceived without original sin" contains "a number of theological mortgages" and is no longer understood by many people, writes the Jesuit in a guest article for the Viennese weekly newspaper "Die Furche" (Thursday). Instead, he suggests changing the name to "Mary's Election", which would be closer to the original meaning of the feast. This name had also already appeared in the first working translations after the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965).

According to Batlogg, the mortgages of "Mary's Conception" lie, for example, in a "demonisation of sexuality" popularly associated with the term "immaculate conception", but also in a focus on "original sin"; this is a theological dowry from St. Augustine that can hardly be conveyed today.

The feast day is also not about portraying Mary as an obedient handmaid or a humble, immaculate virgin, writes the religious. Rather, on 8 December, the Church celebrates "that God has made a wonderful beginning in Mary". The Bible repeatedly tells of such new beginnings: the creation of the world, the story of the Flood, Israel's flight from Egypt and the birth of Jesus. "In view of Jesus, who set a new beginning in world history, Mary's beginning is wonderful," says the Jesuit. "The election of Mary" expresses more accurately what it is all about: "election", explained Batlogg. (KNA)