German Synodal Way

The Latest

Birgit Mock, a vice president of the ZdK, on July 31, 2023, attacked Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne for admonishing a priest his statements against blessing same-sex unions.

German cardinal under fire for admonishing priest over same-sex blessings

Aug 1, 2023

By AC Wimmer

A German cardinal was publicly criticized by the powerful Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK) on Monday. Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing watches ZdK president Irme Stetter-Karp speak at the "Synodal Way" assembly in Frankfurt, Germany, Sept 8. 2022.

Vatican and German bishops discuss theological questions from Synodal Way

Jul 27, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

According to a joint statement from the Vatican and the German bishops’ conference, the meeting took place in a “positive... Read more

The agreement between the German Reich and the Holy See in Rome was signed on July 20, 1933.

Hitler, the Holy See, and a historic treaty: The Reichskonkordat at 90

Jul 20, 2023

By AC Wimmer

On July 20, the Church marks the 90th anniversary of a deal made in Rome between Hitler’s Germany and the... Read more

Cardinal Blase Cupich.

Cupich on German processes, same-sex blessings, role of women

Jul 14, 2023

By AC Wimmer

The archbishop of Chicago spoke about the Germany Synodal Way and blessing of same-sex unions as well as the pontificate... Read more

Archbishop Víctor Manuel Fernández, pictured here in 2014, is the archbishop of La Plata, Argentina. He will take up his new post as prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith in September 2023.

Archbishop Fernández on new role as Vatican’s doctrinal chief: ‘I will do it my way’

Jul 6, 2023

By Courtney Mares

In his first interview since his appointment, Archbishop Víctor Manuel Fernández spoke about handling clerical abuse, the German Synodal Way,... Read more

The third Synodal Assembly of the ‘Synodal Way’ in Frankfurt, Germany, on Feb. 4, 2022.

Four German bishops block funding for permanent synodal council 

Jun 20, 2023

By AC Wimmer

In a statement, the bishops said the controversial initiative goes against “the clear instruction of the pope” and would cause... Read more

St. Hedwig's Cathedral in Berlin, Germany.

German Synodal Council challenged ahead of key Berlin meeting

Jun 19, 2023

By AC Wimmer

A prelate in the Diocese of Regensburg said the concept of synodality underlying the Synodal Way isn’t in line with... Read more

The cross of the German “Synodal Way.”

Group of faithful in Germany rejects Synodal Way: ‘We want to remain Catholic’

Jun 2, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Birgit Kelle told EWTN Noticias that her association represents “many orthodox Catholics who are concerned about the Synodal Way and... Read more

Cardinal Mario Grech, who serves as secretary general of the global Synod on Synodality, speaks to EWTN Rome Bureau Chief Andreas Thonhauser for an exclusive interview that aired on EWTN on May 22, 2023.

‘We don’t have an agenda,’ Synod on Synodality organizer says in new EWTN interview

May 25, 2023

By Andreas Thonhauser

While he believes “a synodal Church is a more spiritual Church,” Cardinal Mario Grech emphasized that the Church “is not... Read more

Archbishop Arthur Roche at a Vatican press conference on Feb. 10, 2015.

Vatican’s liturgy czar rejects German Church’s plans for laity to preach homilies, conduct baptisms

Mar 30, 2023

By AC Wimmer

Cardinal Arthur Roche also said allowing laypeople to regularly perform baptisms goes against canon law. Read more

Bishop Franz-Josef Bode of the Diocese of Osnabrück served as vice president of the German bishops' conference from 2017 to 2023.

Pope Francis accepts resignation of vice president of German bishops’ conference 

Mar 25, 2023

By AC Wimmer

Bishop Franz-Josef Bode had previously refused to step down despite an abuse report finding he had mishandled cases in his... Read more

German Cardinal Gerhard Müller (left) and American Cardinal Raymond Burke.

Cardinals Müller, Burke rebuke German bishops over same-sex union blessings

Mar 17, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

German Cardinal Gerhard Müller and American Cardinal Raymond Burke rebuked the German bishops for approving Church blessings of same-sex unions. Read more

Delegates at the fifth assembly of the German Synodal Way, meeting in Frankfurt, Germany, on March 11, 2023, applaud after the he passage of a text calling for changes to the German Church's approach to gender identity.

German bishops announce plans to bless same-sex unions, allow laypeople to baptize and preach at Mass

Mar 17, 2023

By AC Wimmer

Following the conclusion of the German Synodal Way, several bishops have announced plans to put into practice resolutions passed by... Read more

Delegates at the fifth assembly of the German Synodal Way, meeting in Frankfurt, Germany, on March 11, 2023, applaud after the he passage of a text calling for changes to the German Church's approach to gender identity.

Women’s ordination, transgender ideology move forward at German Synodal Way

Mar 11, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

Delegates also elected members for a commission tasked with establishing a permanent, national Synodal Council. Read more

Delegates at the fifth assembly of the German Synodal Way, meeting in Frankfurt, Germany, on March 10, 2023, applaud after the he passage of a measure to establish official blessings for same-sex sexual relations. The motion passed with only 14 of 202 delegates opposing.

German Synodal Way approves same-sex blessings, lay preaching, and reexamination of priestly celibacy

Mar 10, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

Delegates also voted to delay addressing perhaps the most controversial topic: establishing synodal councils at the parish and diocesan level. Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing at the closing press conference of the spring plenary meeting of the German bishops’ conference.

Despite ‘no’ from Vatican, German bishops move forward with plans for Synodal Council

Mar 1, 2023

By AC Wimmer

A letter by the president of the German Bishops’ Conference published Wednesday confirms that plans for a German synodal council... Read more

From left: Katharina Westerhorstmann, Dorothea Schmidt, Marianne Schlosser, and Hanna-Barbara Gerl-Falkovitz.

Four women opt out of German Synodal Way, saying it ‘departs from the universal Church’

Feb 22, 2023

By AC Wimmer

Ahead of the German Synodal Way’s final meeting next month, four prominent participants officially announced Wednesday they were quitting the... Read more

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, archbishop of Luxembourg (left) and Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops

‘We need time,’ Synod on Synodality organizers tell German-language media

Feb 14, 2023

By AC Wimmer

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg and Maltese Cardinal Mario Grech made their remarks in the wake of the recent European... Read more

Archbishop Emeritus Charles Chaput of Philadelphia.

Archbishop Chaput: Only worthy agenda for synod is one given to us by Jesus in the Gospels

Feb 10, 2023

By Kelsey Wicks

ACI Prensa recently interviewed Archbishop Charles J. Chaput about the controversies and confusion that have arisen around the Synodal Path. Read more

Irme Stetter-Karp, president of the Central Committee of German Catholics.

Germany’s Synodal Way leaders push women’s ordination during European bishops’ synodal assembly

Feb 8, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Irme Stetter-Karp, the president of the lay Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK), addressed delegates in the meeting in Prague... Read more