German Synod Approves Oversight Mechanism for Bishops — Even Marx Opposed It
At the close of its sixth assembly in Stuttgart on Saturday, the German Synodal Assembly narrowly approved, by the required two-thirds majority, a resolution authorizing the creation of a national Synodal Conference planned for the autumn.
The central dispute concerned whether the new body should "monitor" the implementation of synodal resolutions in the dioceses.
Even Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich warned against creating a superior authority that would supervise bishops or interfere in diocesan governance. “I do not want that,” Marx said.
Similarly, Bishop Peter Kohlgraf of Mainz said that a control body overseeing bishops would contradict Catholic principles.
Bishop Josef Overbeck of Essen expressed confidence. The Vatican has been informed about the planned body and he expects approval in the coming weeks.
Asked about a possible rejection from Rome, Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg said he had no indication that approval was in doubt and ruled out proceeding without Vatican consent …More
The sixth plenary assembly of Germany’s synodal way ended with a contentious vote on whether a new national synodal conference should regularly monitor how synodal reforms are implemented in dioceses. The proposal passed narrowly, despite strong objections from several bishops who warned that such monitoring could undermine episcopal authority and provoke Vatican concern. The debate exposed ongoing tensions within the synodal process, especially over accountability, autonomy of bishops, and the future role of the planned synodal conference, whose statutes still require approval by both the German bishops and the Vatican.
Bishop Georg Bätzing, outgoing President of the German Bishops’ Conference, says that the German Synodal Assembly will not proceed without the green light from the Pope; “it would be a provocation to be avoided. However, I have no reason to doubt that timely approval will be forthcoming.”
Even the false prophets reject the wickednes of the false prophets they themselves have promoted, when synod dares to touch them...