Meetings, must have more meetings. Preaching the Cross and Him Crucified forgotten.

Together on the Path to a Synodal Church 

At a joint meeting of all Catholic Councils in Germany, the development of the synodal path was discussed in Passau. The delegates adopted the "Passau Declaration", which underpins a clear commitment to the synodal path.

The Chairman n of the Catholic Council in the Diocese of Fulda, Steffen Flicker, explains: "The path of our Church into the future can only be a joint path of laity and priests. There has already been much progress on this path, but there is also still much to do".

The "Passau Declaration" supports further steps towards the formation of a Synodal Committee at the federal level. The aim is to "promote a lived culture of joint deliberation and decision-making in which transparency and separation of powers can be realised as an expression of synodality".

In addition to Steffen Flicker, Bettina Faber-Ruffing and Dr Annette Stechmann took part in the conference in Passau as representatives of the Diocese of Fulda. Another topic was the preparations for the Catholic Council 2024 in Erfurt.

Source

Cathcon: Synodal is taken from the Greek, meaning accompanying down path.  The Church is going down a path towards a Church which goes down a path.   This indicates a Church that is completely self-absorbed.  A Synod on Synodality! It is a path isolated from truth and life.  Rather Jesus declared in his discourse after the Last Supper in the Fourteenth Chapter of the Gospel of Saint John

[1] Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. Non turbetur cor vestrum. Creditis in Deum, et in me credite. 

[2] In my Father's house there are many mansions. If not, I would have told you: because I go to prepare a place for you. In domo Patris mei mansiones multae sunt; si quominus dixissem vobis : quia vado parare vobis locum. 

[3] And if I shall go, and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will take you to myself; that where I am, you also may be. Et si abiero, et praeparavero vobis locum, iterum venio, et accipiam vos ad meipsum : ut ubi sum ego, et vos sitis. 

[4] And whither I go you know, and the way you know. Et quo ego vado scitis, et viam scitis. 

[5] Thomas saith to him: Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Dicit ei Thomas : Domine, nescimus quo vadis : et quomodo possumus viam scire? 

[6] Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me. Dicit ei Jesus : Ego sum via, et veritas, et vita. Nemo venit ad Patrem, nisi per me.

So the Path of which Christians speak is the Path to the mansions of the Father's House, not one of the many ways of the world.

The Passau Declaration

Together on the path to a synodal church - Meeting of the Diocesan Councils of Germany confirms the continuation of the Synodal Path.

In September 2022, the delegates of the Synodal Path voted for the establishment of a committee that will prepare the Synodal Council.

In contrast, the Vatican Secretariat of State clarified in its letter of 23 January that neither the Synodal Way, nor any body appointed by it, nor the Bishops' Conference had the authority to establish Synodal Councils at the national, diocesan and parish levels. Such councils would call into question the authority of the bishops and thus weaken the episcopate.

Pope Francis has described the task of bishops thus: "For the Cishop will ... at times place himself at the head to indicate the way ... at other times he will simply be in the midst of all ... and on some occasions he will walk behind the people to help those who have fallen behind, and - above all - because the flock itself has its flair for finding new ways." (EG31)

The conference of chairpersons, executive directors and ZdK members from the diocesan councils, which met in Passau on 3-4 February 2023, supports further steps towards the formation of the Synodal Committee and Council as well as Synodal Councils in the individual dioceses. The aim is to promote a lived culture of joint deliberation and decision-making, in which transparency and separation of powers can be realised as an expression of synodality. Synodality strengthens the bishops and does not weaken them.

Some Dioceses are already on the way to introducing synodal councils or have had such structures for years. We encourage all to follow this path towards a synodal Church. This is not contrary to the content of the Roman Letter, since each local bishop can establish such a council for his diocese by virtue of his authority. We are gladly with our bishops on the path to a synodal Church.