German Catholics write letter to Rome over Synodal Way, warn of ‘serious scandal’

Just one day before a crucial meeting of the German Synodal Way, a Catholic initiative announced it has turned to the Vatican in an attempt to avoid what it sees as the risk of “serious scandal” over the push for a permanent Synodal Council to oversee the Church in Germany.

The committee charged with turning the Synodal Way into a permanent council is scheduled to meet on Friday and Saturday this week.

On Thursday, the group Neuer Anfang (“New Beginning”) said it had written a letter to Rome, dated June 11, to determine whether the constitution of such a committee “complies with or violates the Church’s legal order.”

The group’s statement also warned that if bishops’ actions were found to be breaches of duty and the Church failed to disapprove or impose consequences, this could encourage believers to ignore Church norms. Neuer Anfang described this as the risk of a “serious scandal” that could permanently damage the faith of believers.

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