The German synodal path: a brief history.

 Synodal Path 

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 

The Synodal Path (German: Der Synodale Weg or Synodaler Weg, sometimes translated as Synodal Way) is a series of conferences of the Catholic Church in Germany to discuss a range of contemporary theological and organizational questions concerning the Catholic Church, as well as possible reactions to the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church in Germany 

Organization 

The Synodal Path's supreme body is the Synodal Assembly. It consists of 230 members, made up of archbishops, bishops and auxiliary bishops, as well as an equal number of lay-members from the Central Committee of German Catholics. This number is further increased by representatives of religious orders or other ecclesial groups.[1]

The Synodal Path is further divided into four Synodal Forums that each focus on a particular topic:[2]

Power and Separation of Powers in the Church - Joint Participation and Involvement in the Mission

Life in succeeding relationships - Living Love in Sexuality and Partnership

Priestly Existence Today

Women in Ministries and Offices in the Church

An ongoing discussion is the relationship or precedence between the German Synodal Path and the international "Synod on Synodality", which was started by Pope Francis in 2021.[3] 

Meetings 

allowed by the Vatican.[10][11][12]

The laity should have more influence on the election of bishops.[13][14]

Homosexual partnerships/unions should get a public blessing ceremony.[15][16]

The Roman Catholic catechism's teachings on sexual ethics should be reformed. Homosexual sexual acts within same-sex unions/partnerships should be theologically accepted and not classified as a sinful behaviour.[17][18][failed verification]

Married priests (viri probati) should be allowed.[19][20]

Changes to the labour laws of the German church to prohibit the firing or refusal to hire of people based on marital status.[21][22] 

Reception 

that they were lacking the Holy Spirit. While not directed officially at the Synodal Path, the statement was widely considered to refer to Germany.[32]

In June 2022 the results of national synodal paths in the Netherlands[33] were nearly the same: women ordination, married priests and reform of world catechism in sexual ethics were supported.

On 21 July 2022, the Holy See released a statement in which it stated that "The 'Synodal Way' in Germany does not have the power to compel bishops and the faithful to adopt new forms of governance and new orientations of doctrine and morals".[34]

In August 2022, the results of nationals synodal paths in Switzerland[35] and in Austria were nearly the same: women ordination, married priests and reform of world catechism in sexual ethics were supported.