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German Catholic Leaders Unanimously Approve Statute Creating Joint Bishops–Laity Synodal Conference

A 27-27-27 membership model now frames nationwide coordination, pending required church approvals.

Die katholische Kirche in Deutschland bekommt ein neues Gremium, in dem Bischöfe und Laien zusammenarbeiten, beraten und Beschlüsse fassen sollen.
Mit der Einigung auf eine Satzung der geplanten Synodalkonferenz haben die Teilnehmer des Synodalen Ausschusses der katholischen Kirche ihr Treffen in Fulda beendet.

Overview

  • The Synodal Committee concluded its Fulda meeting Saturday by adopting the statute for the planned Synod Conference with a unanimous vote.
  • The statute establishes that bishops and lay representatives will deliberate together and make decisions in the new national body.
  • Core membership is set at 27 diocesan bishops, 27 members of the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK), and 27 members to be elected by the Synodal Assembly.
  • Two representatives each from the council of survivors of sexual abuse and from the Conference of Major Superiors will also join the body.
  • Next steps require approval by the plenaries of the German Bishops’ Conference and the ZdK, followed by submission of the statute to the Vatican, as leaders welcomed the milestone and the Catholic youth federation criticized the lack of binding quotas.