Stetter-Karp: Consultations were focussed, fair and forward-looking

The next step on the path towards more reforms in the Catholic Church in Germany has been taken. The Synodal Committee has been constituted and, after two days of deliberations in Essen, has unanimously adopted its statutes and rules of procedure. The President of the Central Committee of German Catholics, Irme Stetter-Karp, gave a positive assessment on Saturday in Essen. Her impression: the project has now really taken off.

Question: Mrs Stetter-Karp, how did the discussions at the first meeting of the Synodal Committee go - and how do you feel when you leave Essen?

Stetter-Karp: I come away from the constituent meeting of the Synodal Committee in a very good mood. The discussions and decisions were focussed, fair and forward-looking. I say: "Yes we can!" This committee, which I would like to respectfully call a real team, will be able to achieve a great deal for the future of the Church in Germany.

Question: Eight out of 27 diocesan bishops were not present at the first meeting. Even if the reasons for this were very different: Doesn't that already rob the committee of its authority at the start?

Stetter-Karp: The committee deliberates and decides with the members present. And that's what it did. The vast majority of the bishops were there, and all of them contributed actively to the debate. And of course, the committee's doors are open. Every bishop who wants to rejoin us is welcome. And those four bishops who were simply unable to attend this time will be here next time.

Question: The Synodal Path has always taken into account the majorities of the bishops. How are things going with the Synodal Committee? Do the bishops still have the opportunity to veto?

Stetter-Karp: I am pleased that the committee has agreed, among other things, on a future decision-making process with a two-thirds majority of all members present. This means we have taken a big step forward on the synodal path. The details can be found in the statutes and rules of procedure, which will be available at www.synodalerweg.de at the beginning of next week.

Question: The work of the committee has got off to a slow start. The working groups have not yet been filled with enough members, the funding is not yet clear and there are still no dedicated staff for the committee. When will the committee's work finally pick up speed - and what happens now?

Stetter-Karp: We have really picked up speed with this meeting at the latest. Bishop Bätzing said at the end of the meeting: "Everyone, really everyone, now wants to work on what we have been tasked with." I can confirm this statement. I perceive it the same way. After the end of the fifth synodal assembly in March, we as the ZdK would have very much liked the Catholic Church's tanker to pick up speed more quickly. But looking back into the past forever is not helpful now. Think ahead. Act. And accept the challenges. That's what it's all about now.