Synodal Way (Germany)

A YEAR OF BUMPS IN THE ROAD FOR POPE FRANCIS

By Raymond J. de Souza, First Things, March 25, 2024 The Holy Father’s eleventh anniversary (March 19) fell at a difficult moment, with a global controversy over his Ukrainian “white flag” remarks, in which he said that Ukraine should negotiate an end to the war with Russia. It is... read more

Toward a Confessing Church

By Francis X. Maier, Crisis Magazine, February 28, 2024 Let’s start with a fun quiz.  Who said the following words? The insanity of the Christian doctrine of redemption really doesn’t fit at all into our time.  Nevertheless there are learned, educated men occupying high... read more

The ‘two speed Church’ agenda for the synod

By Ed Condon, The Pillar, February 19, 2024 The second session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will convene October 2 for another three week series of discussions and debates.  But while that second marathon session in Rome is still months away, the... read more

Vatican warns German bishops of ‘legal consequences’ over disputed ‘Synodal Committee’

By Elise Allen/ Crux/ Catholic Herald, February 19, 2024 ROME – As the German bishops meet this week to advance their national reform process, the Vatican has threatened canonical action if they refuse to comply with an order to halt a vote on the statutes of a controversial new... read more

Rome says ‘nein’ to German bishops’ synodal committee vote

The Vatican asked Germany’s bishops Saturday not to hold a vote on the statutes of the country’s “synodal committee,” in a dramatic intervention on the eve of their plenary assembly in Augsburg. By Luke Coppen, The Pillar, February 17, 2024  A spokesman told the German... read more

‘Cardinal Bigfoot’ and the return of la Suprema?

By Ed Condon, The Pillar, February 6, 2024  Barely six months into his term as prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández has certainly made his mark on his office. In the opening months of his tenure, the cardinal has scarcely been out of... read more

Germany’s most populous diocese forecasts 2024 deficit

By Luke Coppen, the Pillar, January 31, 2024 Germany’s Cologne archdiocese announced Monday that it expects a budget deficit of almost 21 million euros in 2024. The Jan. 29 announcement underlines the growing economic headwinds facing the Church in Germany, long regarded as one... read more

A New Church’s Birth Certificate?

By Julio Loredo, Tradition, Family Property, November 29, 2023 The Synod of Synodality’s first session closed in Rome on October 28 with the release of its “Synthesis Report.” Those who expected an incendiary document were dismayed by its failure to address thorny progressive claims such... read more

Vatican draws line on women’s ordination and homosexuality in new letter to German bishops

    By AC Wimmer, Catholic News Agency, November 24, 2023 The Vatican has informed German bishops in writing that the ordination of women and changes in the Church’s teaching on homosexuality cannot be subjects of discussion in the upcoming meetings with delegates of the German... read more

Strickland’s removal was against canon law

By Fr. Gerald Murray, Daily Compass, November 22, 20232 The removal of Msgr. Strickland from the leadership of the diocese by Pope Francis, took place without a trial, in violation of canonical norms. Msgr. Torres received the same treatment in 2022. As Saint John Paul II explained, this... read more

Pope Francis warns Germany is ‘steering away’ from universal Church

By Luke Coppen, The Pillar, November 21, 2023 Pope Francis criticized a committee created to implement the decisions of Germany’s “synodal way” in a letter signed on the day of the body’s inaugural meeting. In a Nov. 10 letter to four German Catholics who withdrew from the... read more