Overview

• The Zentralkomitee der deutschen Katholiken (ZdK) launched the Synodalen Weg in 2019 to address governance, gender equality, and sexual ethics within the Catholic Church.
• ZdK president Irme Stetter-Karp has called for the next pope to uphold and expand the reformist path initiated by Pope Francis.
• Stetter-Karp expressed concerns that electing a conservative pope would create significant challenges for the German church's reform agenda.
• Surveys consistently show strong support among German Catholics for reforms, including expanded roles for women and liberalized sexual morality.
• While the Synodalen Weg has faced resistance from the Roman Curia, there has been recent rapprochement, though Pope Francis' support for reforms has been measured.