Head of German Bishops responds by letter to Rome reprimand

 Eminences, Distinguished Cardinals,

Thank you very much for your valuable letter of January 16, 2023

(Prot.N.2825/SdS/2023) that you sent me following a request from some confreres to the Holy See. As requested by you, on January 23, 2023, I made the letter known to the members of the Permanent Council and also to all auxiliary bishops. In a first exchange in the Permanent Council, we were able to discuss some content-related aspects. The procedure that I made this letter public with a comment met with broad approval (see attachment). Allow me to point out that to this day I am not aware of the letter from the five bishops of December 21, 2022 that triggered your letter.

I assure you that we take seriously the concerns you have raised about the issues of a Synodal Committee and a Synodal Council. The Synodal Committee is a sign that there is still a great need for clarification with regard to future synodal co-operation. The original proposal was to set up a Synodal Council immediately. In exercising our episcopal responsibility, we were unable to agree to this proposal and the result of the joint consideration is the interim step of the Synodal Committee, which is entirely in line with our guidelines. At the next meeting among us bishops, we will deepen the question of how we, as a synodal church, will proceed in the future. The good experiences in Prague encourage me a lot on this path.

(Cathcon: trying a policy of small steps, a Synodal Committee prior to the full horror of a Synodal Council)

We are going to delve into theological questions related to the considerations you have raised. I therefore ask for your understanding if I do not go into individual aspects of your remarks in this letter, but gladly and gratefully take up the offer of talks you have suggested and thank you if you make an appointment for a talk as soon as possible after the final synodal assembly (9-11 March 2023) in Rome. After the good experience of the composition of the delegates for the continental phase in Prague, I hope that we can find a good discussion constellation.

Permit me a formal note: I noted the full text transcript of our fruitful and intense Inter-Dicastery meeting during the ad limina visit.

But I don't see it as a record agreed between the two sides, as was the agreement between us at the time. We should also discuss to what extent such a record is still necessary or whether we should concentrate on the transcript in the future.

Once again I thank you for your letter and ask you to join us in prayer during the spring plenary assembly of the Bishops' Conference in Dresden and the synodal assembly in Frankfurt that followed shortly thereafter.

With fraternal greetings

Bischof Dr Georg Bätzing  

Source

See also Severe reprimand for Church in Germany