
Cardinal Hollerich: Critics of the Synod ‘Won’t Be Able to Stop’ It
The general relator of the Synod on Synodality made a number of bold statements this week.
The general relator of the Synod on Synodality made a number of bold statements this week.
NEWS ANALYSIS: While the prominent Dominican has decried political polarization in the Church, his appointment itself could fuel the polarization in the synodal process, given his public dissent from Church teachings on homosexuality.
COMMENTARY: Jettisoning the distinction between ‘orientation and activity’ means the end of chastity as a virtue to be strived for — or implies that ‘the LBGT community’ is not capable of chastity and should therefore be preached a lesser gospel.
The Vatican’s doctrine office has stated that the Church does not have the power to bless the unions of same-sex couples.
Pope Francis chose the Luxembourg cardinal and Jesuit to serve as relator general of the ongoing Synod on Synodality, which was recently extended to 2024.
By criticizing the procedure — but not the substance — of the Church in Germany’s push for radical departures from Catholic teaching, this week’s Vatican statement left deeper concerns unaddressed.
COMMENTARY: CDF prefect Cardinal Luis Ladaria has been admirable, yet he has had to do quite a bit of shrugging in response to the actions of his brethren from the Society of Jesus.
Jesuit Cardinal Hollerich of Luxembourg and Bishop Bätzing of Limburg have both called for changes to the Church’s teaching on homosexuality in recent interviews.
With listening sessions occuring throughout the country, U.S. dioceses and eparchies that have embraced the synodal process hope to see a revival of engagement with their flock after pandemic-era restrictions.
The Church in German was the focus of many Catholic news headlines this week as Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI responded to a report that faulted his handling of sexual abuse cases when he led the Archdiocese of Munich. Register reporter Edward Pentin brings us the story from Rome. Then we turn to another controversy that erupted in a German news interview with Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg, relator general of the Synod on Synodality, that seems to undermine the integrity of Catholic doctrine. Register senior editor Jonathan Liedl brings us analysis of that story.
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