Bishop attacks the four German Bishops for leaving the Synodal Path

Kohlgraf criticizes bishops for leaving the Synodal Path

"There will be a patchwork quilt"

Bishop Peter Kohlgraf of Mainz criticizes the resignation of four German bishops from the continuation of the Synodal Way reform project. According to Kohlgraf, the four dropouts should take a look at their own dioceses.

"I believe that the four bishops would have been well advised to stick with it - also in order to be able to continue to influence the way ahead," he told the "Rheinische Post" (Saturday).

Cathcon:  What a myth!  That they could have any influence on this agenda-driven operation

After the last general assembly in March, the reform dialogue is to be continued in a Synodal Committee from autumn.

Woelki, Hanke, Oster and Voderholzer voted against funding

In June, however, Bishops Gregor Maria Hanke (Eichstätt), Stefan Oster (Passau), Rudolf Voderholzer (Regensburg) and Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki (Cologne) voted against the planned funding of the body via the Association of German Diocese (VDD).

The bishops of the 23 other dioceses are therefore looking for other financing options.

The exit with reference to reservations in the Vatican and the fact that one first has to wait for the world synod, which begins in autumn, is also difficult in view of the many volunteers involved in the synodal path, Kohlgraf added: "Three years have people benevolent, critical and also brought in their topics emotionally. And they are now being told that we will not continue like this without waiting for the further deliberations of the World Synod."

According to Kohlgraf, the Synodal Path remains a DBK project

Of course, none of the other 23 bishops want to part with the world synodal path, the bishop added: "Of course we will get involved there, and yet we cannot take a two-year break now!"

In addition, Kohlgraf pointed out that the action texts for the synodal path, "which were also decided with the necessary two-thirds majority of the bishops", are in the world and form the decisive basis for the work that continues in the synodal committee: "The The synodal path remains a project of the bishops' conference, even if not all bishops are involved in it."

Kohlgraf sees a "small group" spreading a "narrative of the German Special Path".

The Mainz bishop also rejected the accusation that the church in Germany was going its own way: "At the world synod, too, topics such as abuse of power, understanding of office, admission requirements for the priesthood and the evaluation of sexuality play a significant role. I am amazed at how small, but loud they are Group always succeeds in using the narrative of the German special path."

From Kohlgraf's point of view, it is unavoidable that there will be major differences in the implementation of reforms from diocese to diocese, for example in the blessing of homosexual couples or the non-ordained who preach or baptize: "There will be a patchwork quilt in the church ."

Cathcon:  Outrageous!  Catholic Truth is indivisible- this is not just about practice.   The Church is no patchwork quilt!

The "patchwork" has also arrived in "dropout" dioceses

And that will also apply to the dioceses of the four dropouts: "Well, the bishops who are now making their own decisions should take a look at their own Diocese and then be surprised at how much is already being practiced there."

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