As part of the first phase of the global synodal process, the Swiss faithful have spoken in favor of equal rights for women and men in the Church. During the diocesan phase, "full participation of women" and "a more just inclusion of divorced and remarried persons or those on the LGBTIAQ spectrum" emerged as essential demands, the Swiss Bishops' Conference announced on Tuesday.
Furthermore, the "clericalism widespread in the Church in some places" was criticized. Synodality can only succeed if clerical attitudes are overcome and an understanding of priestly ministry is developed that fosters a synodal Church.
Last Monday, the "Swiss Synodal Assembly" met at Einsiedeln Abbey to gather the diocesan reports from the diocesan phase of the synodal process. Consequently, not only were the main concerns of the Swiss national synod report discussed, but a "continuation of the synodal church in Switzerland" was also decided. Regional differences within Switzerland became clear: "In reflecting on the quality of synodal work, the spiritual concerns of Latin Switzerland, more focused on attitude, were complemented by the observations and indications of German-speaking Switzerland, more focused on structure". The final synodal report is expected to be published this summer and sent to Rome along with the diocesan reports for the continental phase (autumn 2022 – spring 2023) and the global phase of the synodal process (autumn 2023).
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In an interview with the news site kath.ch (Wednesday), the Bishop of St. Gallen, Markus Büchel, expressed confidence regarding the entry of the Swiss synodal report into the Synod of Bishops: "I think: we are an important link in the global synod". On the theme of synodality, it is important to "develop sensitivity to differences and to see that we can live unity, even if not everything is uniform", said Büchel. The question of women, for example, is posed "differently in Switzerland than in other countries and cultures". Perceiving this reality is good for the Swiss Church, just as Switzerland's perspective enriches the Church as a whole. Within the Alpine country, the specific questions regarding women in the synodal report are marked by German-speaking Switzerland. In contrast, it was from French-speaking Switzerland that the impulse came that "the entire synodal process must be understood as a spiritual process".
In summary, the Swiss Church is not escaping the delusions of other European Catholics and is wallowing in modernism and a fantasy of equality for all. The fight will be tough for us, anti-modernist Catholics, but we will not give up!
Read in German on Katholisch