Bishop Dr Georg Bätzing
During their recent Ad Limina visit to the Vatican, members of the German Bishops’ Conference met with Pope Francis and attended a meeting with the heads of some Dicasteries of the Roman Curia to reflect together on the ongoing German Synodal Path.The following media release was delivered at the beginning of the interdicastrial meeting by Bishop Dr Georg Bätzing, President of the German Bishops’ Conference.
Introduction
by Bishop Dr Georg Bätzing,
President of the German Bishops’ Conference,
at the interdicasterial meeting
on the occasion of the ad limina visit of the German bishops
on 18 November 2022 in Rome
Introduction
We bishops are grateful to have this opportunity for an interdicasterial meeting at the end of our ad limina visit to Rome. We regard it as a good opportunity to show mutual esteem in this special moment of our Church: The Church in Germany, closely interwoven with the universal Church. We want to reflect together on the experiences and results of the Synodal Path of the Church in our country. Yesterday, the Holy Father explained to us in his answers during the audience that the Church lives from tensions, which is why tensions are part of a living Church on the move. This is a good suggestion for today’s discussion.
At the outset, I would like to express my sincere gratitude twice: It is good that the Holy Father has initiated the worldwide synodal process. As a path lasting several years, the third stage of which has just begun with the document presented here in Rome a few weeks ago, it is – like the whole process – a path of talking to and listening to one another. We thank the Holy Father for the theological search movement to find out what synodality is, as he formulated in his historic speech on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Synod of Bishops in 2015.
Today we are here to talk about the Synodal Path in Germany. Honestly, I have to say: In this conversation, essential persons and supporters of the Synodal Path in our country are missing. For we bishops are part of a Synodal Assembly of 230 people – believers who work with great commitment for their Church. The Synodal Presidium consists of two bishops and two lay people. So, unfortunately, a large part of the synodal people – especially the laity – do not have the opportunity we have today. And that is why our reflections, discussions, shared perspectives and possibly directions are subject to being discussed, communalised and appropriated with all those involved in the Synodal Path.