A German cardinal has declared his participation in the controversial German Synodal Way finished, expressing deep scepticism about plans to establish a permanent synodal conference. Source: National Catholic Register.
“For me the Synodal Way is concluded,” Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne said in an interview with Cologne’s Domradio.
The proposed synodal conference concept represents the latest iteration of plans to establish a permanent body in Germany in the wake of the controversial process, following repeated interventions by Pope Francis and the Vatican.
The cardinal’s remarks came as he confirmed he will not attend the sixth synodal assembly taking place this week in Stuttgart.
Cardinal Woelki said he originally understood there would be five assemblies, all of which he attended. When the German bishops’ conference later decided to hold an evaluation session, he made clear he would not participate.
“In my view, this body does not have the mandate to evaluate what an individual diocesan bishop or individual diocese has or has not implemented from the decisions of the Synodal Way,” he said.
His remarks come as the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK) has already approved statutes for a new synodal conference, while a decision by the German bishops conference and Vatican approval remain pending.
“We must wait to see what Rome actually says,” Cardinal Woelki said.
“We must also wait to see whether the bishops conference at its plenary assembly in February actually approves the statutes in the form presented.”
The cardinal stressed his commitment to his ordination. “I can only say that I have to answer to my ordination vows. I promised to protect the faith of the Church and to walk the path in my diocese in unity with the Pope.”
A central point of contention in the synodal conference statutes is the concept of joint deliberation and decision-making between diocesan bishops and non-bishops.
Cardinal Woelki acknowledged important work done by the process, particularly on abuse prevention and the exercise of power in the Church.
“I stand behind these themes,” he said, noting that he had already implemented reforms in Cologne.
The German Synodal Way passed numerous controversial resolutions with two-thirds majorities of bishops present, including measures calling for same-sex blessings, women’s ordination to the diaconate, reconsideration of priestly celibacy, and changes to Church practices based on transgender ideology.
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German Cardinal: ‘For Me the Synodal Way Is Over’ (National Catholic Register)
