In our time, and especially in Germany, attempts at finding the middle ground, at being centered or balanced – qualities that Robert Barron embodies academically and temperamentally – are deemed irresponsible at best and dangerous at worst. Ours is a world of parties and polarization, such that bridge-building is regarded with suspicion. To work with the other side is to “deal with the devil.” The Church needs to recover a culture of debate. In order to get there, we need reconciliation. We need depolarization. In other words, we need Bishop Barron.
