Vatican holds dialogue with German Bishops about Synodal journey

By Vatican News

The Holy See and the German Bishops’ Conference released a joint statement on Friday at the end of a day of talks in the Vatican on the Synodal path in Germany.

According to the statement, representatives of the Roman Curia met with several German Bishops “to continue the dialogue begun during the Ad Limina visit of the German Bishops in November 2022.”

The meeting follows a previous encounter held on July 26, 2023, and was “characterized by a positive and constructive atmosphere.”

Discussions focused on “some of the open theological questions raised in the documents of the Synodal Path of the Catholic Church in Germany.”

Representatives agreed to continue their dialogue through “a regular exchange” so as to address “differences and agreements.”

According to the joint statement, “the German bishops clarified that this work will serve to develop concrete forms of synodality for the Church in Germany, in accordance with the ecclesiology of the Second Vatican Council, the provisions of Canon Law, and the results of the Synod of the universal Church, which will then be submitted to the Holy See for approval.”

The next dialogue will be held before August 2024.

Representatives of the Roman Curia included Cardinal Victor Fernández, Cardinal Kurt Koch, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, and Cardinal Arthur Roche, as well as Archbishop Filippo Iannone.

Representing the German Bishops' Conference were Bishops Georg Bätzing, Stephan Ackermann, Michael Gerber, Peter Kohlgraf, Bertram Meier, and Franz-Josef Overbeck – as Chairman of the German Bishops' Conference and as Chairmen of the Episcopal Commissions for Liturgy, for Vocations and Ecclesiastical Services, for Pastoral Care, for the Universal Church, and for Faith – as well as the Secretary-General, Dr. Beate Gilles, and the Press Spokesman of the German Bishops' Conference, Matthias Kopp.