Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising, Germany. Photo: CNS The Church in Germany is at a point where serious debate – including on priestly celibacy and the role of women – and openness to doing things in a new way must encouraged, said the president of the German bishops’ conference.
“Shakeups demand special proceedings,” Cardinal Reinhard Marx said at the end of the bishops’ spring meeting in Lingen.
The sexual abuse scandal and demands for reform have changed the German Church, the cardinal said.
“The Church in Germany is experiencing a break. The Faith can only grow and deepen if we are liberated from blocked thinking, in order to pursue free and open debates and the ability to take new positions and go down new paths.
“The Church needs a synodal advancement. Pope Francis encourages this,” said Cardinal Marx. “We will create formats for open debates and bind ourselves to proceedings that facilitate a responsible participation of women and men from our dioceses.
“We know about the cases of clerical abuses of power. It betrays the trust of people searching for firm footing and religious orientation. What must be done to achieve the necessary reduction of power and to construct a fairer and legally bound order will be to clarify a synodal path.”
Germany’s bishops said they are still working on how to move forward following the sexual abuse scandal and other pressing issues.