German Synodal Way
The Latest
German Synodal Way approves same-sex blessings, lay preaching, and reexamination of priestly celibacy
Delegates also voted to delay addressing perhaps the most controversial topic: establishing synodal councils at the parish and diocesan level. Read more
Despite ‘no’ from Vatican, German bishops move forward with plans for Synodal Council
A letter by the president of the German Bishops’ Conference published Wednesday confirms that plans for a German synodal council... Read more
Four women opt out of German Synodal Way, saying it ‘departs from the universal Church’
Ahead of the German Synodal Way’s final meeting next month, four prominent participants officially announced Wednesday they were quitting the... Read more
‘We need time,’ Synod on Synodality organizers tell German-language media
Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg and Maltese Cardinal Mario Grech made their remarks in the wake of the recent European... Read more
Archbishop Chaput: Only worthy agenda for synod is one given to us by Jesus in the Gospels
ACI Prensa recently interviewed Archbishop Charles J. Chaput about the controversies and confusion that have arisen around the Synodal Path. Read more
Germany’s Synodal Way leaders push women’s ordination during European bishops’ synodal assembly
Irme Stetter-Karp, the president of the lay Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK), addressed delegates in the meeting in Prague... Read more
German bishops’ president rebukes Pope Francis for criticism of Synodal Way
Bishop Georg Bätzing says the Germans have “fundamentally different views of synodality” than Rome. Read more
Pope Francis decries German Synodal Way as ‘neither helpful nor serious’
In an interview published Wednesday, Pope Francis decried the German Synodal Way as elitist and running the risk of bringing... Read more
German bishop dismisses Vatican concerns over a permanent synodal council
On Monday, Bishop Georg Bätzing said he welcomed a new letter from the Vatican detailing concerns about the push for... Read more
German Synodal Way designed to create ‘pressure’ on the Church, founding president says
Thomas Sternberg, former president of the Central Committee of German Catholics, said the process wanted to achieve changes to Church... Read more
German Synodal Way: The devil will not defeat the Resurrection, Spanish cardinal says
Spanish Cardinal Antonio María Rouco Varela criticized the controversial Synodal Way of the German Catholic Church in a university course... Read more
As Church allows for LGBT-employees in Germany, Vatican publishes concerns over Synodal Way
The Vatican on Thursday published the full wording of its latest warnings over another schisma coming out of Germany, raising... Read more
Did the Vatican ‘snub’ German bishops over Synodal Way?
Bishop Georg Bätzing said supporters of the Synodal Way wanted to remain Catholic, “but we want to be Catholic in... Read more
German bishops meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican amid concern over Synodal Way
The audience with Pope Francis lasted about two hours, the German Bishops’ Conference said in a statement published after the... Read more
‘Truly not an easy task’: German bishops begin talks in Rome amid Synodal Way concerns
Bishop Georg Bätzing said the German bishops would “openly and honestly address” the topics of the process during their ad... Read more
Public spat between German bishop, Swiss cardinal leads to private meeting in Rome
Following demands for an apology and a threat he would “file an official complaint with the Holy Father,” the German... Read more
Vatican cardinal says he did not compare German Synodal Way to Nazi ideology
A Vatican cardinal has defended himself against the accusation by the president of the German bishops’ conference, Bishop Georg Bätzing,... Read more
Religion is ‘interruption,’ not continuity, German bishops’ president says
Bishop Georg Bätzing spoke in a live-streamed Mass on Tuesday on the occasion of the bishops’ plenary assembly in Dulda,... Read more
Turbulent scenes and votes for homosexuality, women’s ordination at German Synodal Way
The three-day event was overshadowed by turbulent scenes and early departures over the handling of contentious issues. Read more
Synodal Way votes to establish permanent Synodal Council to oversee Church and dioceses in Germany
In a move aimed at achieving what critics have compared to communist councils in the Soviet Union, participants of the... Read more
