Die Welt reported on the letter on Tuesday and published it online. One of the recipients, the theologian Katharina Westerhorstmann, confirmed its existence to Germany’s Catholic News Agency (KNA).
In it, Francis issued a call to “open up and go out to meet our brothers and sisters, especially those who are to be found at the thresholds of our churches, on the streets, in prisons, in hospitals, in squares and in cities” – instead of seeking “salvation” in ever new bodies “and discussing the same themes over and over again in a certain self-centredness”.
In the letter, which is written in German and signed “Franziskus” by hand, the Pope referred to one outcome of the Synodal Path reform process launched by the German bishops together with laypeople’s representatives four years ago.
A Synodal Committee, which has since been constituted, is to prepare the establishment of a Synodal Council. In this body, bishops and laypeople want to continue their consultations and decision-making on the themes of power, the role of women, sexual morality and the priestly way of life. The Synodal Committee began its work on November 10.
This process could distance the Germans from church unity, the letter continued. An “advisory and decision-making body”, as was currently being prepared, “cannot be reconciled with the sacramental structure of the Catholic Church”.
With his letter dated November 10, Francis reacted unusually quickly to a letter dated November 6 in which Westerhorstmann, the theologian Marianne Schlosser, the journalist Dorothea Schmidt and religious philosopher Hanna-Barbara Gerl-Falkovitz had expressed their fears for the unity with Rome in view of the direction being taken on German reforms.
The four authors do not want to publish their letter to Francis, Westerhorstmann told KNA. However, the Pope had given his written agreement to the publication of his response. Commenting on his letter, she said: “We were very surprised by the prompt answer and are grateful for the clarity expressed in the pope’s words!”
The Vatican has repeatedly warned Catholics in Germany against taking unilateral action on Church reforms. It has said the Synodal Path reform dialogue was not authorised to establish a joint governing body of laypeople and clerics, and that such a Synodal Council would inadmissibly restrict the authority of each individual bishop.
Laypeople and bishops in Germany, on the other hand, have repeatedly emphasised that they are not pursuing a special path or a separation from the Universal Church.
Originally reported by KNA Germany.
