Politicisation of Catholic Faith and Morals by Synod. "Bishops are also allowed to be gay".

Who will succeed Franziska Driessen-Reding?

Franziska Driessen-Reding will hand over the Presidency of the Zurich Synodal Council in the summer. Lorenz Schmid and Raphael Meyer are waiting in the wings: Schmid is in favour of blessing queer couples and calls the women's issue a "central challenge". Meyer wants more young people in pastoral care. On the subject of equality and inclusion, "I have to accept the limits set by church law," says Meyer.

Lorenz Schmid (58) is the father of two grown-up sons and a successful pharmacist in Zurich. In spring 2022, he ended his political career with "Die Mitte" after 16 years in the Zurich Cantonal Council. "Until now, my commitment has been to the health sector and social issues. I would now like to venture into something different."

Raphael Meyer (41) is a lawyer and also a centrist politician. He has been a member of the Synodal Council for eight years, currently in the position of Head of Personnel. When asked why he is seeking the office of President of the Synodal Council of the Roman Catholic Body of the Canton of Zurich, he says: "It is important that a person takes over the presidency who knows the body as well as the opportunities and limits of the dual system well and maintains a trusting relationship with the diocesan leadership so that we can tackle these challenges together."

Lorenz Schmid also wants to "tackle and shape" the challenges. He is convinced that with his experience in leading organisations, his long-standing networking in Zurich politics and society, he can support the Church in finding a good way forward in these challenging times.

Focal points of the term of office

"The focus must be on communication both internally and externally," says Raphael Meyer. There are points in communication with the diocese "that need to be improved or more clearly defined". He would also like to analyse the parish regulations introduced in 2018, which provide for strengthening the autonomy of the parishes. In addition, he would like to improve the visibility of the churches in public, because society sees the offers of the churches "not at all or too little".

The body must play an active role in the struggle for a "path of renewal", said Lorenz Schmid. "Of course in co-operation with the bishop, the pastors, but also with the Reformed national church." The Church is currently experiencing a "fundamental break with tradition" with a simultaneous need for rituals.

The body could contribute to supporting the pastoral workers in the parishes and other church places in finding contemporary forms of communicating the faith, according to Schmid. He is convinced that "together we will succeed in repositioning the church with its millennia-old competence in shaping life-shaping events."

A matter of the heart

The Church has an "existence-threatening problem of young people", says Lorenz Schmid. "This must be tackled directly." The unique system of cantonal and national churches offers opportunities that need to be mobilised. "The many committed Synod members are called upon to be ambassadors for a living church," says Lorenz Schmid.

Raphael Meyer is passionate about attracting young people to study theology or to work in pastoral care. Meyer would also like to support the parishes in making "the work in a church authority more attractive".

Synod Council President Franziska Driessen-Reding is a strong advocate for issues such as equal rights for women and LGBTQ. Raphael Meyer also stands behind the concerns and goals of the synodal process of the three German-speaking dioceses of Switzerland. "But I am aware of the limits that ecclesiastical law places on me as a possible president of the synodal council," he says.

For Lorenz Schmid, a denomination that discriminates against people on religious grounds is "simply no longer credible". It contradicts his concept of Christianity. He sees the women's issue as the "central challenge".

With regard to queer people, the church has been carrying around an "old history of guilt" for centuries, Schmid said. This should be confronted. Same-sex couples should not be denied the blessing. Nevertheless, he is aware: "Since we are part of a universal Church, regional solutions also require solidarity with the whole community.

Goal in the term of office

Should Raphael Meyer become President of the Synodal Council, the requirements of the Cantonal Council for the contribution period 2020 to 2025 should be met. The canton should be shown that the Catholic body provides extensive services for society as a whole - and that the cost contributions granted are justified. In order to achieve this, a "great effort in the area of communication" is required.

Should Lorenz Schmid become president of the synodal council, he would like to be able to say at the end of his term: The Synod has found a way to integrate the new religious communities that strengthens the credibility of the state-church system as a whole. He would also like to see the "unfortunate quarrels" with the Bishop of Chur overcome. "That would be the crowning glory," Schmid said.

Raphael Meyer would have four years to achieve his goals, then he would have to give up his office due to term limits. Lorenz Schmid, on the other hand, could be re-elected as a newcomer - and can stay in office for up to twelve years and implement his priorities.

Recognition of religious communities

The Canton of Zurich should also publicly recognise non-Christian religious communities, says Raphael Meyer. "Religious communities that provide services for the benefit of society as a whole and recognise the basic values of our liberal democracy should have the path to public recognition open to them." This includes transparency in financing, democratic control of the governing bodies and equal rights for all members.

Lorenz Schmid sees it similarly: Communities that meet the requirements of financial transparency, democratic structures and organisational commitment should be allowed to participate in the current system of social recognition. He adds that the multi-religious society poses a challenge. "If faith communities want to continue to play a role in the relationship with the state, they have to unite, they have to reshape this relationship together," says Lorenz Schmid. A task that requires a lot of political tact and perseverance over a longer period of time.

Problems and solutions

Raphael Meyer sees a "loss of tradition" that is accelerating the loss of significance in society. According to Meyer, this is connected to the problem of abuse. But also with the fact that many church members feel excluded - especially women and queer people. As a solution to these problems, Meyer proposes "uncompromising and credible prevention work". "When it comes to the issues of inclusion and equality, as President of the Synodal Council I have to accept the limits that ecclesiastical law sets for me," says Meyer.

For Lorenz Schmid, the challenges facing the Zurich Regional Church are the same as those facing society. It is a matter of strengthening social cohesion, standing up for intergenerational justice, preventing the gap between rich and poor from widening, and addressing urgent questions concerning the health system and the ageing of the population.

The Church could make a valuable contribution with its Christian social teachings. "Of course in cooperation with the other religious communities," Schmid said. Schmid would like to work out the challenges together with the Synodal Council, the Vicar General, the Bishop and many people involved in the Church on the "synodal path".

Source

Cathcon:  One Synod Devil against another Synod Devil.  No real distinction between them.  This is all about power for the pseudo-clerical laity.

An interview with the outgoing President of the Synodal Council

Franziska Driessen-Reding: "Bishops are also allowed to be gay".

Zurich's top Catholic is considered a gay mum. Franziska Driessen-Reding (51) has a gay cousin, a lesbian cousin - and she would also have no problem if her children were queer. The latest paper from Rome outrages her: "These double standards!"

Her son (25) is a flight attendant - but straight. He has a girlfriend. What would you say if one day he came home with a man?

Franziska Driessen-Reding*: This morning he was still very much in love with his girlfriend and they have been together for quite a while. But if that were the case? Nothing would change. I would give this man a warm welcome.

And if your daughters (22 and 18) were lesbians?

Driessen-Reding: Even then nothing would change.

They have relatives in the USA. A cousin is lesbian, a cousin is gay. Was that a topic of conversation in the extended family?

Driessen-Reding: No, it was just the way it was. And quite normal for all of us.

You like to go to Pride. Some people see you as a "fag hag" - a gay mum. Do you also see yourself like that?

Driessen-Reding: I was brought up as an open person and I don't exclude anyone because of their gender, skin colour or sexual identity. And that's how the Church, to which I belong and which I represent, should handle it. Our job is to be there for our believers - all of them. The absurd idea that sex is exclusively for procreation and otherwise a sin is an affront and has no place in the 21st century. 

Why is advocacy for gays and lesbians a matter close to your heart?

Driessen-Reding: I'll put it this way: the church has radicalised me. I don't know which pastors and bishops are really gay. But I do know that quite a few of them are. How can they bear it? What does it mean psychologically? How long can they endure this self-denial? Bishops are also allowed to be gay.

Prominent guest at the Paulus Academy: Joseph Bonnemain - at that time still an official and not yet Bishop of Chur.

How did the future Bishop Joseph Bonnemain react to your invitation to take him to the next "Pride"?

Driessen-Reding: He has not yet commented on it.

What do you say to the latest Vatican paper?

Driessen-Reding: Look at the award ceremony for the Herbert Haag Prize. Everything has been said there.

What outrages you most?

Driessen-Reding: This double standard. Why on earth should love between two people be divided into forbidden love and permitted love? Love is a wonderful thing, full stop.

Former Vicar General Josef Annen did not like it when you interfered in pastoral concerns. Why do you do it anyway?

Driessen-Reding: The latest letter from Rome once again shows ignorance. We married people know the value of a living partnership and can express ourselves more competently than the clergy.  

Does the diocese of Chur need a rainbow pastoral - or is the gay pastor Meinrad Furrer from "Katholisch Stadt Zürich" enough?

Driessen-Reding: It needs 25 Meinrad Furrers. And 25 Catholic Priscilla Schwendimanns (lesbian pastor of the Reformed Church, editor's note).

What other aspect is important to you?

Driessen-Reding: Let's finally stop discriminating against people. That should be possible in our Catholic environment! It is the task of the Church to give its faithful comfort, hope, support and a sense of community. And not to impose laws on them that are out of touch with reality.