The Synod Committee is the result of the German synodal method and should prepare for the establishment of a permanent synod in 2026. In such a body, bishops and laity would jointly decide the future of the Church in Germany. Rome does not like such a body because it is not stipulated in canon law and conflicts with the sacramental structure of the Church. The bishops will also be a minority in the body, while decisions can be made by a simple majority.
After adjourning in February, the German Bishops' Conference has now approved the Statutes of the Synod Committee. The German secular movement ZdK, which co-created the committee, had already done so in November.
However, four bishops have already announced that they will not participate in the synod committee. Bishop said in a statement issued on April 24 Gregor Maria Franz Hanke From Eichstadt, Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelke Cologne, Bishop Stefan Oster Passau and Bishop Rudolf Fuderholzer From Regensburg they “want to continue on the path towards a synodal Church more in harmony with the universal Church.” They want to wait for the results of the Synod of Bishops in October and then take “executive steps towards a more synodal Church.”
The second meeting of the German Synod Committee is scheduled to be held on June 14-15 in Mainz
sources: CruxNow (English) – Catholic (German) – Catholic newspaper
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