Synodal path: Bishop Bätzing does not want conservatives to block reforms

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Bishop Georg Bätzing, Chairman of the Bishops' Conference

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Thomas Frey/picture alliance/dpa

Before the beginning of the autumn plenary assembly of the German Bishops' Conference, its chairman Georg Bätzing has shown himself combative against critics of the so-called synodal path.

"We must not be stopped by those who simply block everything," said the Limburg bishop on Monday on Bavarian radio.

The vast majority of German bishops want reforms, only a minority are against it - but their attitude does not agree "with the perception of the people of God".

"We're not a divided bunch."

Pope Francis is not committed

In the synodal path, conservative bishops had recently allowed a basic document on sexual ethics to fail.

Bätzing said: "There is a dispute, that's right." The bishops must now pull themselves together here.

Overall, however, the synodal path as a path of conversion and renewal of the church is a great success.

Bätzing also rejected the impression that Pope Francis rejected this special German format for internal church consultations.

"The pope himself is a great reformer, so it is not a good perception to say that he is an opponent of the synodal path," said the Limburg bishop.

Fear of schism exaggerated

"He made certain critical comments, which he also wrote to us." For example, the question of whether topics such as evangelization or mission were sufficiently localized.

However, those responsible for the synodal path would say that the structures first had to be built so that people could still accept the gospel at all.

»We have to keep trying to reach an understanding with the Pope about this.«

Bätzing also rejected warnings that German reform efforts could divide the church.

»There is this falling apart, because many people are turning their backs on the church – and to stop that, to hear what is important to these people, is very important to me.«

Ackermann resigns as abuse officer

In addition to the synodal path, the abuse scandal is once again on the agenda of the bishops' meeting in Fulda, Hesse, which lasts from Monday to Thursday.

There, the previous abuse officer, Bishop Stefan Ackermann of Trier, wants to give up his office.

A successor has not yet been officially determined, but Bätzing promised an announcement later this week.

The Chair also announced a reorganization of the Office.

"It has to be put on broader and more shoulders," he said.

The church is entering a completely new phase with intervention, prevention and reappraisal and needs a new structure for this.

ala/AFP