Tensions are rising in the Catholic Church in Germany ahead of this week’s final assembly of the controversial “synodal way.” Speaking days before the March 9-11 gathering in Frankfurt, the initiative’s co-president Irme Stetter-Karp expressed surprise at the German bishops’ plan to submit changes to documents that may struggle to gain a two-thirds majority of Read more
Posts Tagged ‘German Synodal Way’
Despite ‘no’ from Vatican, German bishops moves forward with plans for synodal council
Monday, March 6th, 2023Despite repeated warnings from the Vatican, a letter by the president of the German Bishops’ Conference published Wednesday confirms that plans for a German synodal council are progressing. In the letter— dated February 23 and published March 1 — Bishop Georg Bätzing writes that the German bishops take the Vatican’s “concerns” about a German synodal Read more
German bishops’ leader wants ‘common line’ on same-sex blessings
Thursday, March 2nd, 2023
When the German bishops’ conference meets in Dresden this week, the group’s chairman has a particular aim. Bishop Georg Bätzing wants Germany’s bishops to support the prospect of liturgical blessings for same-sex couples. The German Catholic news agency KNA says the German bishops’ leader’s agenda will call for “a common line in favour of blessing Read more
Germany’s synodal path has failed
Thursday, October 20th, 2022
Cardinal Walter Kasper says the German way forward on its “synodal path” has failed. Kasper, who is the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity’s President Emeritus, points to the Second Vatican Council’s path in synodal fellowship. The Church would have a future only if it continued on that path – a path that the German Read more
Vatican silent on woman serving as ‘vicar general’s representative’
Monday, October 17th, 2022
A woman serving as a vicar general’s representative has heard nothing from the Vatican since her appointment. Stephanie Rieth (pictured) began her new role in April, in the German Diocese of Mainz. She says she’s not surprised by the lack of reaction in Rome to the new arrangement, although it constitutes a unique “model” in Read more
Religion is ‘interruption’, not continuity, says bishop
Thursday, September 29th, 2022
The shortest definition of religion is “interruption,” says Bishop Georg Bätzing (pictured). Some forms of continuity people seek from religion are “frankly suspect,” the president of the German Catholic Bishops’ Conference asserts. Bätzing made the comments during the bishops’ plenary assembly in a live-streamed Mass on Tuesday. In his homily he said “all too surely Read more
German synodal way members back permanent ‘synodal council’
Thursday, September 15th, 2022
The German “Synodal Way” has adopted a controversial proposal to create a permanent body composed of lay people and bishops to oversee the local Church. The country’s bishops initiated the “Der Synodale Weg” in 2019 in the wake of a damning report that showed the vast extent of the clergy sex abuse crisis. The aim Read more
No to liberal sexuality, yes to women in sacramental ministry
Monday, September 12th, 2022
On Friday Germany’s Synodal Way approved a text on the role of women in the Catholic Church, one that challenges the exclusion of women from sacramental ministry. The vote took place on the second day of the plenary session. The document “Women in ministries and offices in the Church” was facing its second reading. The Read more
German diocese selecting lay group to elect next archbishop
Thursday, September 8th, 2022
A German archdiocese is selecting lay people to help to choose its next archbishop. The incumbent, Archbishop Hans-Josef Becker, turns 75 next June and has submitted his resignation to Pope Francis. The Archdiocese of Paderborn says it is drawing lots to choose a 14-member lay group made up of men and women. Paderborn’s cathedral chapter Read more
Germany’s ‘synodal way’ seeking permanent ‘synodal council’ vote
Monday, August 29th, 2022
Participants in Germany’s “synodal way” will vote next month on a controversial proposal. If passed, the proposal would create a powerful permanent “synodal council” to oversee the local Church. Fourteen papers will be put to a vote at the synodal way’s fourth plenary assembly next week. One, “Sustainable strengthening of Synodality: A Synodal Council for Read more