THE row over the future of a Swiss bishop gathered pace again this week with an invitation to the controversial prelate to resign his see.
President of the Swiss episcopal conference Joseph Candolfi called on Bishop Wolfgang Haas of Chur to vacate his post following a wave of discontent over the bishop's hardline stance on the teachings of the church. Last month Haas automatically succeeded Bishop Johannes Vonderach, who retired a year earlier than expected. He had been appointed the bishop's successor in May 1988.
But despite the call for his resignation, Bishop Haas has made it clear that he has no intention of yielding to his opponents. Bishop admitted that he had received more than over Haas' succession arose, more than 80 per cent of which expressed concern at the bishop's presence.
This week the Vatican daily Osservatore Romano demonstrated its support for Bishop Haas by publishing an address made on the issue by one of Haas' few allies, Bishop Eugenio Coracco of Lugano.
Observers in Rome point out that the Osservatore's decision to publish the address is a clear indication that Bishop Haas is here to stay.