In the letter, the Pope expressed concern about the German synodal path.
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Francis stressed that the Catholic Church in Germany should be rooted “in prayer, penance and adoration.“
Pope Francis expressed deep concern about the German synodal path. He says the process is now shifting to a level where unity with the universal church “threatens” to be eroded.
The pope expressed these concerns in a letter to four German Catholic laywomen published by Die Welt. The letter’s existence was confirmed to Kathpress by moral theologian Katarina Westerhorstmann, one of the addressees of the letter containing Francis’ handwritten signature.
The Vatican authorities have repeatedly opposed the Synod in Germany.
Among the pope’s main concerns was the push for establishing a permanent “synod commission,” a mixed body of laity and bishops that would determine the direction of the Catholic Church in Germany. Showing this body is a top priority of the German synodal path.
In his recent letter, Pope Francis suggested a different path for progress for the Church in Germany.
Francis also called on German Catholics to “open up and reach out to our brothers and sisters,” including the sick, the imprisoned, and the marginalized. “I am convinced that it is here that the Lord will show us the way,” Pope Francis wrote.
German theologian Martin Brüske described the pope’s letter as a clear and strong signal to halt the work of the synod committee in Germany.
Full text of Pope Francis’ letter
Dear Professor Westerhorstmann,
Dear Professor Schlosser,
Dear Professor Gerl-Falkovitz,
Dear Mrs Schmidt,
I express my gratitude for your kind letter of 6 November. You have addressed me with your concerns about current developments in the Church in Germany. I share my concerns. Indeed, significant segments of this local church are taking many steps that threaten to divert it more and more from the typical path of the universal church.
This certainly includes the establishment of the Synod Committee to which you referred to. This committee aims to establish an advisory and decision-making body. However, as stated in the relevant resolution, its proposed structure is not in line with the sacramental structure of the Catholic Church. As a result, the Holy See banned its creation by letter dated January 16, 2023, which received my special consent.
In my Letter to the Pilgrim People of God in Germany, I tried not to seek “salvation” in ever-evolving committees or engage in biased dialogues repeating the same themes. Instead, I sought to reaffirm the importance of prayer, repentance, and adoration.
I encouraged openness and called for action to engage in contact with our brothers and sisters, especially those we find on our church doorstep, in the streets, prisons, hospitals, squares, and cities (as discussed in section 8). I firmly believe that the Lord will lead us in these places.
I appreciate your contribution to theology and philosophy, and thank you for your witness of faith. May the Lord bless you and Our Lady protect you. I kindly ask you to continue praying for me and our shared commitment to unity.
United in the Lord
Francis
