On Saturday, a president of the German Synodal Way accused the Vatican of "snubbing" German Catholics. Irme Stetter-Karp is president of the Central Committee of German Catholics and co-president of the Synodal Way.
In a statement published on November 19, the laywoman stated that the Vatican's "fundamental criticism of the Synodal Way" issued last week "not only snubs the German Bishops, the vast majority of whom consider reforms necessary. It also disregards the impatience of many Catholics towards their Church."
Sixty-three German Bishops were in Rome last week for talks with Pope Francis and the Roman Curia.
A joint statement published Friday by the Holy See and the German Bishops' Conference speaks of dialogue and patience, but shows there is little agreement between the Vatican and the German prelates on the process that has raised concerns worldwide and prompted warnings of a new schism emerging from Germany.
The president of the German Bishops' Conference, Bishop Georg Bätzing, told journalists at a press conference on Saturday morning that there was no intention of leaving Catholicism. On the contrary, he said, supporters of the Synodal Way want to remain Catholic, "but we want to be Catholic in a different way."
Bishop Stefan Oster of Passau was one of the first bishops to speak out after the visit to Rome.
He emphasized that there had been "no concession at any point" regarding the German process.
Oster also noted the absence of Pope Francis from Friday's meeting, "contrary to our expectations and the initial announcement."
The fact that the Pope did not participate in the meeting with the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the heads of several other dicasteries—despite it being initially announced—was seen as a positive element by the president of the German Bishops' Conference.
Bishop Bätzing of Limburg said: "The Pope is an intelligent Jesuit. He left us to struggle with each other as brothers."
Bätzing said that some German bishops had sought "clarity" on the Synodal Way's controversial resolutions, asking questions to get "clear answers" to the issues, in the sense of "is this possible or not?"
Although the Roman Curia could once again summarize "its objections, its concerns" regarding the German process, the Synodal Way has made its decisions, including concerning a permanent Synodal Council, Bätzing added.
The Vatican intervened in July against such a body, warning of the threat of a new schism from Germany.
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Bishop Oster said on Friday that the Vatican prefects, particularly Cardinal Luis Ladaria, who heads the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, and Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, had "indicated very clearly that, on the one hand, they want to continue the dialogue with the Bishops in Germany, as well as on the decisions and results of the Synodal Way in Germany."
At the same time, Oster said he "perceived no concession at any point, but rather clear opposition from both sides" on the essential questions. These include moral teaching and the role and structure of the Church.
This article was originally published in English by Catholic World Report (Article Link). It is republished and translated with the author's permission.