Among the 43 participants were the President of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE), Archbishop Gintaras Grusas (Vilnius), and the Presidents of the Bishops' Conferences of Italy, Austria and Switzerland, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Bologna), Archbishop Franz Lackner (Salzburg) and Bishop Felix Gmür (Basel).

Also present was the well-known Czech priest, theologian and philosopher of religion Tomas Halik (pictured).

He reported in the run-up to of the interview of two conferences at the Belgian University of Leuven on the subject of "Church and Society in China and the West".

Asian delegates from the Synod on Synodality took part, including two bishops from China and a theologian from Hong Kong.

In this context, the theologian emphasised that he had become aware for the first time of how important the decentralisation of the Church is, as the conditions for Church life are very different in the various cultures.

In an interview with katholisch.de, he therefore talks about decentralisation, reform projects and which ministries the Church should create.

Question: Professor Halik, what structural changes do you think are necessary for the Church to meet the demands of today's world?

Halik: There is a need to establish ministries in the Church that do not require ordination, including the ministry of spiritual direction.

This ministry requires both a personal charism and special training, i.e. training and supervision. It is one of many ministries in the Church for which God has given many charisms, not least to women.

Question: You mentioned decentralisation earlier. What does this mean in concrete terms for the whole Church?

Halik: The service of the Church in the age of a globalised world cannot be limited to territorial communities.

The following also applies to the Church in the globalised age: act locally, think globally.

Acting locally always means respecting the context. This requires a decentralisation of the Church, the application of the principle of subsidiarity, but also solidarity: in respect for those who are different from us.

The ministry of chaplains in hospitals, in the army and in prisons is the vanguard of this Church ministry, which is open to all, not just its own members.

Question: And "thinking globally" means?

Halik: Thinking globally means constantly deepening catholicity and ecumenism.

The universal openness of the Church, which is a sacrament, is sign and instrument of the unity of all humanity.

This unity is an eschatological goal, but one for which we must constantly work. The Catholic unity of the Church must be an organic unity in diversity, not the uniformity and conformity of totalitarian systems.

Question: Speaking of diversity, one of the aims of the European meeting was to recognise diversity in Europe and make it visible. But what does diversity mean for the Church in Europe?

Halik: European Christianity finds itself in a paradoxical situation: we are a minority in a largely dechurched society, which nevertheless carries two thousand years of indelible experience with many forms of Christian faith in its genes.

This is a rich and at the same time burdensome heritage. This heritage also includes European secularism and atheism. Our mother, the European Church, has many unknown descendants and many "lost sons and daughters".

A deeper understanding of European culture brings us many surprising encounters with our unknown brothers and sisters.

Question: What role does the voice of the Church in Europe play in the universal Church?

Halik: We have to reckon with the fact that for many our synodal invitation is met with mistrust. To regain lost trust, we need patience and credible witnesses. Read more

In an address the day before he was elevated to the College of Cardinals, Pierre says it is difficult for Catholics to claim allegiance to the pope while openly criticising the incumbent.

Pierre's reminder always to listen to the Pope comes against the background of the Church in the US, which is said to be divided, and some of the country's bishops are openly criticising Pope Francis.

While Pierre did not mention names, it is said his comments alluded to the controversial case of Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, who has accused Pope Francis of undermining the Deposit of Faith.

"The pope is not an idea.

"Some people say, 'I am with the pope, but not with this one.' And they are mistaken. The pope is a real person" declared Cardinal Pierre, Pope Francis' ambassador to the United States.

He emphasised that when the Lord chose Peter, He chose an individual, not an abstract concept, to build His church upon.

Pope understands the US church "very well"

Pierre, originally from France, has been a seasoned Vatican diplomat and was appointed as the apostolic nuncio to the United States by Pope Francis in 2016. His mission has largely focused on encouraging the US hierarchy to embrace Pope Francis' reforms and revitalise the Synod of Bishops.

Critics have claimed Pope Francis doesn't fully understand the Catholic Church in the United States due to his Latin American background. However, Pierre countered, stating "My experience is that Pope Francis understands very well the US church.

"It's good that we have a pope that makes provocations, because this is a real pope," he added.

Despite occasional tensions between Pope Francis and the US episcopacy, Cardinal Pierre urged a spirit of dialogue and unity, emphasising that "the pope is the pope, and bishops should always listen to the pope."

Pierre advised those who struggle to embrace the pope's priorities, saying "If the pope says something, don't criticise him. Make an examination of conscience."

21 new Cardinals

On Saturday, Francis elevated 21 new prelates from 15 countries.

In adding them to the College of Cardinals Francis said they should resemble a symphony orchestra: diverse and with a wide range of contributions, but always working toward harmony.

"A symphony thrives on the skilful composition of the timbres of different instruments: each one makes its contribution, sometimes alone, sometimes united with someone else, sometimes with the whole ensemble," said Francis at the ceremony.

"Diversity is necessary; it is indispensable. However, each sound must contribute to the common design."

Sources

National Catholic Reporter

National Catholic Reporter

CathNews New Zealand