The Vatican has expressed «frankly» to the German bishops its «reservations» regarding the methodology and contents of the Synodal Way, although it has agreed to «continue mutual listening and dialogue in the coming months,» according to a joint statement issued after the meeting held Friday between representatives of the Roman Curia and German prelates who are in ‘ad limina’ visit, and without the presence of the Pope.
«It has been agreed to continue mutual listening and dialogue in the coming months, in order to contribute to the enrichment of the German Synodal Way and the Universal Synod of the Church,» the Vatican and the German Bishops’ Conference said in a joint statement.
Likewise, the Vatican recognizes the «urgency» of defining and deepening some of the «questions highlighted» by the German Bishops’ Conference, such as, for example, «those related to the structures of the Church» or «the sacred ministry».
In his introductory speech, the President of the German Bishops’ Conference, Georg Baetzing, reviewed the work and proposals collected by the German Synod and emphasized «its spirit based on listening to the People of God and the pain for the abuses committed by members of the clergy».
Baetzing has thus presented to the members of the Curia the issues addressed in the German Synodal Path, which began to walk in 2019, before the worldwide convocation of the Synod convened in 2021 by the Pope, and which was raised as a process in which German laity and religious, also bishops, discussed proposals for change in the Catholic Church, some controversial, such as rethinking sexual morality on homosexuality or the female priesthood.
A MORATORIUM IS NOT ACCEPTED In the meeting, the German bishops have also presented some proposals, among them, that of applying «a moratorium on the German Synodal Way» that finally «was not accepted» by the Vatican. In this line, they also stressed the need to encourage «further reflection and mutual listening in the light of the perplexities that have arisen».
The meeting was moderated by the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who, in introducing the proceedings, recalled «the bond of communion and love that unites the bishops among themselves and with the successor of Peter» and stressed «the importance of the meeting as a moment of sharing and grace and of unity in differences».
In his address, Parolin mentioned «the concerns raised by the Synodal Path, indicating the risk of reforms of the Church, but not within the Church».
For their part, both the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Luis Francisco Ladaria, and the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, Marc Ouellet, expressed «with frankness and clarity their concerns and reservations regarding the methodology, contents and proposals of the Synodal Way, proposing, for the benefit of the unity of the Church and her evangelizing mission, that the requests that have emerged so far be included in the Synod of the universal Church».
The ‘ad limina’ visit of the German bishops, which began last Monday and included a private meeting with Pope Francis, concluded this Friday, November 18, with an interdicasterial meeting at the Augustinianum Institute in Rome, attended by the heads of some of the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia and the 62 bishops of the Catholic Church in Germany present in Rome on the occasion of the ‘ad Limina Apostolorum’ visit.
Numerous German bishops and representatives of the Curia participated in the subsequent open dialogue. At the same time, there was a full awareness on the part of all that «they are on a journey with all the holy and patient People of God, even in the confrontation between different positions».
In this sense, «many interventions pointed out the centrality of evangelization and mission as the ultimate goal of the ongoing processes, as well as the awareness of the unavailability of certain topics,» according to the joint communiqué.
In conclusion, Parolin expressed his appreciation for the debate, which he highlighted as «necessary and constructive» since it «cannot be ignored» in the ongoing listening processes.
