German Bishop renews vigorous criticism of the Synodal Path."Distorted image of Episcopal authority"

Bishop Voderholzer renews criticism of the Synodal Path.  "Rome understands the concept of synodality differently"

Regensburg Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer has renewed his criticism of the internal church reform project, the Synodal Path. He would like his concerns to be represented in the German Bishops' Conference's talks with Rome.

Pope Francis and his successor Leo XIV used the term "synodality," but understood it to mean something "completely different" than "what was practiced in Frankfurt," Voderholzer told the Würzburg Catholic weekly newspaper "Die Tagespost."

In this country, it is seen as a political structural element, combined with a strong desire for change, the Bishop explained. This is different with Pope Francis. He was concerned with a style of church life, with ecclesial community, with listening together to the Holy Spirit. "I fully agree with that."

"Distorted image of Episcopal authority"

How the Synodal Committee will proceed remains to be seen, explained Voderholzer. It is up to the sponsoring association to decide how to continue working with Rome in a way that preserves the unity of the Church. "In any case, I reject the distorted image of episcopal authority, as if we rule absolutistically over our faithful. Anyone who knows the daily life of a bishop knows how deeply we are involved in consultation, participation, and cooperation—in other words, synodality."

The Synodal Committee, currently consisting of 70 members, is an outgrowth of the Synodal Path launched in 2019 by the German Bishops' Conference and the Central Committee of German Catholics.

Voderholzer does not participate in the committee. At the same time, the Bishop criticized the German Bishops' Conference's efforts to avoid including critical voices regarding the Synodal Path in discussions with Vatican representatives. "This, in turn, is viewed critically in Rome. If dialogue and reconciliation are desired, critical voices cannot be excluded," said Voderholzer.

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