German Catholics Write Letter to Rome Over Synodal Way, Warn of ‘Serious Scandal’
The meeting in Mainz will follow several interventions and meetings between the Vatican and German bishops.
The meeting in Mainz will follow several interventions and meetings between the Vatican and German bishops.
Given the Vatican’s repeated interventions against the German process, the bishops said they would instead look to the Synod of Bishops in Rome. Meanwhile, on Monday, German diocesan bishops approved the statutes for a synodal committee; and there are reports that the synodal committee will meet again in June.
The Maltese cardinal, who heads the Vatican's Secretariat for the Synod, stated in a recent interview that a female diaconate (unspecified whether ordained or not) would not be a ‘revolution’ but a ‘natural deepening of the Lord’s will.’
Raising several concerns, the Vatican reminded the Germans ahead of the meeting that the Holy See has not mandated them to set up such a council.
CNA Deutsch editor-in-chief AC Wimmer reports on the Vatican’s intervention in the German bishops’ controversial vote on the Synodal Way. And Solène Tadié, Europe correspondent for the National Catholic Register, looks at the influential role of women in the Catholic Church.
ANALYSIS: The German bishops are expected to decide on taking the next step toward a Synodal Council that has been forbidden by the Vatican.
The German bishops will debate the Synodal Way in their next plenary assembly in Augsburg from Feb. 19–22.
COMMENTARY: Has the process been undermined with the publication of ‘Fiducia Supplicans’ and its subsequent clarification? Consider these 12 questions.
Without enforcement to correct high-profile abuses of the Vatican guidance, observers say the threat of schism over same-sex blessings looms.
ANALYSIS: Pope Francis’ archbishop picks for Germany and the Vatican’s guidance on blessing same-sex couples may indicate Rome’s plan for dealing with the problematic Synodal Way, but also underscore what’s still absent from the equation.
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