Progressive Catholics in Germany declare themselves in schism

The Synodal Path advocates a participation of lay people in baptism and preaching - the Vatican rejects this. This means that the Church in Germany may have to go its own way, writes the "Maria 2.0" initiative.

In view of the most recent letter from the Vatican, the group "Maria 2.0" is in favor of greater independence for the Catholic Church in Germany. Triggered by the abuse scandal in the church, committed people at the request of the German Bishops' Conference had struggled for three and a half years to find a common way out of the crisis and for reforms in the Catholic Church, the group said on Sunday in Essen, with a view to the resolutions of the Synodal Path reform movement . "But before the smallest possible step can be taken, Rome will veto it."

In a letter that became known on Thursday, the Vatican had spoken out against a significant upgrading of lay people roles at baptisms and sermons in the Church. Permission for laypersons to preach is one of the central demands of the Synodal Way reform project in Germany, but this is not mentioned in the letter. The initiative launched by the German bishops and the Central Committee of German Catholics came to an end in early March. At their last general meeting in Frankfurt, the delegates approved a corresponding paper.

It is now necessary to react appropriately and to think about alternatives, so "Maria 2.0". "Perhaps one will then come to the conclusion that the Catholic Church in Germany must go its own way." For the vast majority of Catholics, there will no longer be a return to “the way it was”.

Establish no new church

When asked, the group emphasized: "We as Maria 2.0 do not see ourselves as those who are founding a new church." One only wants to point out contradictions that stand in the way of a renewal of the church. "This means that we no longer want to submit to the guidelines from Rome, but demand a theology that does justice to all people: equal dignity, equal rights."

We have been down this Path before with Luther

On this basis, the Catholic Church in Germany should confidently implement reforms and stop "asking Rome if you can ask questions". A church in which unity does not mean uniformity, but unity in diversity is possible, will no longer stand in the way of reforms. Real changes are also essential "if the church in Germany still wants to have a future".

The "Maria 2.0" initiative has been campaigning for comprehensive changes in the Catholic Church since 2019. Among other things, the network calls for more rights for women and renewed sexual morality.

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