
Polish Laity Sharply Criticize Key Protagonists of Germany’s Synodal Way
In a statement, Catholic Action in Poland said ‘the German Way is not built on the Gospel and often contradicts the principles of the faith.’
In a statement, Catholic Action in Poland said ‘the German Way is not built on the Gospel and often contradicts the principles of the faith.’
The bishop of Limburg and chairman of the German bishops’ conference said he sees no Vatican obstacles getting in the way of German Synodal Way ambitions.
ANALYSIS: What does the Central Committee for German Catholics’ demand that the bishops lose their ‘veto power’ in the upcoming Synodal Committee say about the underlying status of the local Church’s synodal project?
An increasing number of practicing German Catholics don’t want to fund the local Church’s controversial trajectory in the wake of the Synodal Way; but the only way to not pay the ‘church tax’ is to officially disaffiliate from the Catholic Church in Germany — and risk losing access to the sacraments.
Apart from covering the question of homilies and baptisms by laypeople, the seven-page letter also reminded the German bishops that liturgical translations must be confirmed and approved by the Vatican.
ANALYSIS: Pope Francis’ acceptance of the resignation of Bishop Franz-Josef Bode, a major proponent of the Synodal Way in Germany, is widely seen as a blow to the controversial process. But was this a ‘strategic element’ of the Vatican’s decision?
COMMENTARY: The problems with the Synodal Way go far deeper than the controversial proposals it’s advanced.
At the concluding press conference, Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg, president of the bishops’ conference, said that the results give a mandate to the bishops to make some changes in Germany now while pushing for broader reform.
Delegates to the Synodal Way also voted on Friday evening to delay addressing the establishment of synodal councils at the parish and diocesan level.
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