Synodal Path 2020

“The coronavirus pandemic has made the “synodal path” of the Church of Germany disappear from the news. Meanwhile it continues forward. And on it not only the German Church, but the universal Catholic Church is staking its future” - says Sandro Magister in an article, which was brought to my attention: Sex,Women, Power. The Three Challenges Germany Is Issuing To the Church 

I am very grateful that brothers and sisters in the whole world try to accompany the change process of the Catholic Church in Germany. From my experiences in Latin America, I can imagine that it is not easy to understand what is going on here. But this not the right way to accompany!

The article wants to describe the procedure of the synod in the Catholic Church in Germany and its topics. The first part evaluates this process as a “rupture” and highlights the fundamental and ecclesial significance of the developments. So far, I can follow, even if I do not share the evaluation as a “rupture”.

Then comes a list of quotations from the working documents. The translation in English is partly wrong. I will give you one example of the first sentence. The translation in English is:

"Gender equality must be achieved at all levels. For access to pastoral services, even to the diaconal, presbyteral, and episcopal ministry, it cannot be excluded."

A crucial part of the sentence is missing. My translation: “Gender balanced power is an indispensable prerequisite and a cross-sectional that must be achieved at all levels. The question of the conditions of access to pastoral ministries, also to the ordination of deacon, priest and bishop, cannot be excluded, but must be addressed [in the synod]".

That means: The Synod should talk about the question of gender justice (which is, by the way, something else than equality!). No more and no less.

Please look very carefully at the sources from which you draw your information and stay in contact with Catholics who live in the community of the Church and live a credible life of following Christ in everyday life, including with the poor and disadvantaged.

In Germany, we actually discuss the issues raised in the Synod openly. In my opinion, the Catholic Christians today should conduct this discussion in a fair and respectful way, to seek together the way that God wants to lead us - in the knowledge that no one else is the way, the truth and the life than Jesus Christ. He has sent us the Holy Spirit, who leads us the way to the Father and to life.

With kind regards

Christian Modemann SJ