Lay leader accuses German bishops of stalling church reforms
‘So far the Central Committee of German Lay Catholics has held back its criticism. But now, before the sixth and final synodal assembly, cards have to be placed on the table.’
Lay Catholics in Germany are increasingly frustrated with their bishops’ reluctance to engage with church reform, according to the president of the Central Committee of German Lay Catholics (ZdK).
Speaking to the Kölner Stadtanzeiger on 30 August, Irme Stetter-Karp complained that the Synodal Path reform initiative, which began in 2019, had approved many decisions by large majorities but bishops failed to implement them.
“Take, for example, the new resource for the blessing of same-sex couples,” she said. “Despite a clear decision by the bishops in the Synodal Path, it is being applied in only about half of the 27 dioceses. The others either reject it or endlessly delay, always looking to Rome.”
The Archbishop of Cologne Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki and three Bavarian bishops have refused to participate in the Synodal Path, but Stetter-Karp said there were others too.
“So far the ZdK has held back its criticism. But now, before the sixth and final synodal assembly at the end of January, cards have to be placed on the table,” she said, warning a number of bishops who had “shone by their absence” at consultations. “This is a nuisance.”
While she did not mention names, “those concerned should be aware: this is on our radar”.
Stetter-Karp said Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg deserved support “as a very committed, reliable, and forward-looking president of the German bishops’ conference, especially within the Synodal Path”.
She insisted that support for reform was so strong that bishops cannot simply dismiss it, asking: “Who are they supposed to shepherd, if not the millions of Catholics waiting for change?”
Contrary to accusations that the ZdK was a divisive force, “might it not be that some bishops are at risk of splitting their flock precisely because they refuse to listen?”
Stetter-Karp “would welcome it if Pope Leo XIV were to take an active decision” regarding the position of Cardinal Woelki, who has faced repeated misconduct allegations. “I think the time has come,” she said.
The final assembly of the Synodal Path will take place in Stuttgart on 29-31 January 2026.
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