The Synodal Commission is a result of the German Synodal Way and must prepare the establishment of a permanent Synodal Council in 2026. In such a body, bishops and laity would jointly decide on the future of the Church in Germany. Rome does not like such a body because it is not provided for in ecclesiastical law and would go against the sacramental structure of the Church. Bishops would also be in a minority in the body, while decisions could be taken by a simple majority.
After the postponement in February, the German bishops’ conference has now approved the statutes of the Synodal Commission. The German lay movement ZdK, co-initiator of the committee, had already done this in November.
However, four bishops have already announced that they will not participate in the Synodal Commission. In a statement released April 24, Bishop said Gregor Maria Franz Hanke of Eichstätt, cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne, bishop Stefan Oster of Passau and bishop Rudolf Voderholzer of Regensburg that they want to ‘continue in harmony with the universal Church on the road to a more synodal Church’. They want to wait for the results of the synod of bishops in October and then take ‘implementation steps towards a more synodal Church’.
The second meeting of the German Synodal Commission is scheduled for June 14 and 15 in Mainz
Sources: CruxNow (English) – Katholisch (German) – Katholiek Nieuwsblad
Tags: German bishops approve establishment Synodal Commission
