8.7.2025 - vaticannews
D: „Wir setzen auf die Vermittlungsfähigkeit des Papstes“
Für den „Synodalen Weg“ der katholischen Kirche in Deutschland wertet Weisner das römische Papier „als weitere Ermutigung“. Bischöfe sollten nach den Vorgaben aus Rom ihre Autorität „im synodalen Stil“ ausüben. „Ich denke, auch in Deutschland wird sich da das Bischofshandeln noch ganz schön ändern müssen.“ Enttäuscht ist Weisner darüber, dass die für Mitte dieses Jahres angekündigten Zwischenberichte der zehn Studiengruppen noch nicht veröffentlicht sind. „Das lähmt den gesamten Prozess und ist auch keine Hilfe für die Ortskirchen.“
zum vollständigen Interview:
https://www.vaticannews.va/de/kirche/news/2025-07/deutsch-synode-weisner-wir-sind-kirche-reform-vatikan-papst-leo.html
Deepl-Übersetzung ins Englische:
D: "We rely on the Pope's the Pope's ability to mediate"
The reform movement ‘We are Church’ reacts positively and nuanced to the synod timetable from the Vatican.
The letter published on Monday is "also an important appeal to the local churches, i.e. to the local churches, i.e. to dioceses all over the world that have so far been hesitant to implementation". Christian Weisner from ‘We are Church’ said this on Monday evening in an interview with Vatican Radio.
In favour of the ‘Synodal Way’ of the Catholic Church in Germany, Weisner sees the Roman paper ‘as further encouragement’. According to the guidelines from Rome, bishops should their authority ‘in the synodal style’ according to the guidelines from Rome. "I think that in Germany, too, the behaviour of bishops will have to change quite a bit."
Weisner is disappointed that the interim reports of the ten study groups announced for the middle of this year interim reports of the ten study groups announced for the middle of this year have not yet been published. "That paralyses the entire process and is also no help for the local churches."
"I see a great deal of continuity"
Interview
How do you rate do you rate the letter from the Vatican on the implementation of the World Synod?
"It is very good that the roadmap drawn up by the Synod Secretariat with the approval of Pope Francis on how the implementation of the World Synod can be continued in the local churches and at the individual levels - despite the change of Pope in Rome. That is also consistent, because this implementation is to take place in the local churches. But of course we are delighted, that Pope Leo, on the Benediction Loggia immediately after his election, declared his commitment to continuation of the synodal path initiated by Francis. There I see great continuity here.
The letter published today is also an important appeal to the local churches, i.e. to dioceses all over the world that have so far been hesitant in implementation. The fact that Cardinal Grech, Secretary General of the World Synod, spoke a week ago of resistance and difficulties in the implementation process in individual local churches.
For the Synodal Way in Germany, I see the current letter as further encouragement to move forward courageously. Always in good contact with Rome, of course. And also in good contact with neighbouring countries. The task of making our church synodal is an epochal task, entirely in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council. This can only be achieved together. And we have to keep at it!"
‘It is also important that this new letter makes the local bishops responsible’
In your view, what do you think are the positive aspects of the letter?
"I see the concreteness of this letter as very positive. It starts with the timetable, which remains unchanged. It continues with the concrete definition of the objectives: This new process should make a concrete contribution to 'maximising the opportunities for participation and the exercise of differentiated co-responsibility by all baptised men and women'. Training paths are 'to achieve a tangible synodal conversion in the various ecclesial realities'. The basis is always the final paper of the World Synod adopted in October 2024, which Pope Francis in November once again expressly recognised as part of the Church's teaching.
What is important, however, that this new letter places responsibility on the local bishops. It is up to him, the bishop, as the first person responsible for the implementation phase in each local church, it is up to him to initiate the process, define the times, methods and objectives, to monitor its progress and to conclude it by determining the results. In doing so, he should exercise his authority, it is expressly explicitly stated, in a synodal style. The final paper already states that this does not diminish the authority of the bishop, but rather strengthens it and facilitates the acceptance and implementation of the decisions taken. I think that bishops' actions will have to change quite a bit in Germany too.
"The worldwide synodal process initiated by Pope Francis has generated so much hope, it must not fizzle out"
And where do you still see a need for clarification?
"It is disappointing and not conducive to the ongoing process is that the interim reports of the ten study groups announced for the middle of this year have not yet been published. This paralyses the entire process and is also no help for the local churches. I fear that Pope Leo will now wants to know the results of their work on his own. The fact that the new pope is organising two additional study group on liturgy and the competence of the bishops' conferences, ecclesial assemblies and local synods is understandable. It is to be hoped that this will make it possible to resolve the newly flared up conflict over the authorisation of the pre-conciliar Mass and to establish clearer rules for church bodies.
I very much hope that all this will be done in a synodal style, i.e. with the participation of the different levels of the Church and the people of the Church. The worldwide synodal process initiated by Pope Francis has generated so much hope and moved people, it must not be allowed to fizzle out. We are relying heavily on the experience and mediation skills of the new Pope."
Zuletzt geändert am 24.07.2025