The chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference, Georg Btzing, responded to the letter from the 74 American and African bishops. This was already the third letter from the World Episcopate that critically examined the German synodal path. Numerous bishops of the universal church warn of a schism in connection with a possible German special path. The African and US bishops had also expressed this fear.
The third letter
As before the Nordic and Polish bishops, Btzing now answered this group of bishops. The answer is addressed to Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila, Denver, Colorado. In his reply, the chairman of the German bishops’ conference accuses the African and American bishops of using euphemistic phrases about power and the abuse of power. Furthermore, according to Btzing, the synodal path does not undermine the authority of the Church, including that of Pope Francis. In this context, the Bishop of Limburg mentions the letter of the Holy Father to the pilgrim people of God in Germany, which German bishops understand as encouragement.
No damage to synodality
Btzing finds the accusation made by the American and African bishops that the German synodal path could damage synodality incomprehensible. According to Btzing, the synodal path is in search of life-giving potential in the life and work of the church today. This search sometimes requires concentrated work on texts and resolutions, embedded in discussions, publications and media formats. Those who submit to this effort are united by faith in the Trinity and the hope that the good news of his loving devotion to people will also reach them in the future, writes the chairman in his reply. In contrast to the letters in reply to the Polish and Nordic bishops’ conferences, this letter was published verbatim by the secretariat of the DBK. DT/pwi
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