German Bishops' Conference Accepts "Synodal Conference" to Rule Over Individual Bishops

The German bishops have accepted on February 24 the statutes for the future ‘Synodal Conference’ at its plenary meeting in Würzburg.
The statutes go now to the Vatican for approval before the body will be established.
Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg has repeatedly emphasized that Archbishop Filippo Iannone, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, has received the text informally months ago.
Shared Decision-Making Between Bishops and Laity
The Synodal Conference is a permanent national body responsible for deciding on nationwide Church issues and thus gaining power over individual bishops.
According to the adopted statutes, the Synodal Conference "deliberates and adopts resolutions in accordance with 'synodal decision-making processes' on significant ecclesiastical matters of supra-diocesan importance".
Current plans for the "Synodal Conference" want to include 27 diocesan bishops, 27 lay members, and 27 further elected representatives.
If approved by Leo XIV, the Synodal Conference will …More