The “first phase” of the German synodal way ended Saturday with a heated debate over whether a new permanent national synodal body should regularly monitor the implementation of synodal way resolutions in dioceses.
The debate flared Jan. 31, on the final day of the synodal way’s sixth plenary assembly in Stuttgart.
The synodal way was a six-year initiative that brought together the German bishops and select lay people to discuss sweeping changes to Catholic teaching and practice following an abuse crisis in Germany.
At five assemblies between 2020 and 2023, participants endorsed 150 pages of resolutions that included appeals for women deacons, a re-examination of priestly celibacy, lay preaching at Masses, a larger lay role in selecting bishops, and a revision of the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding homosexuality.
The sixth assembly, held Jan. 29-31, focused on how the resolutions have been implemented in Germany’s 27 dioceses, ahead of the creation — subject to Vatican approval — of a new permanent national body known as the synodal conference.
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