The Holy See warns the German bishops that the Synodal Way has no power to force bishops or the faithful to assume new forms of government and new approaches to doctrine and morals.
In a press release, the Holy See points out that it would not be licit to initiate 'new official structures or doctrines in the dioceses...which would be a wound to ecclesial communion and a threat to the unity of the Church.”
It states that changes must be agreed upon at the level of the universal Church and that dioceses cannot make doctrinal decisions unilaterally.
The communiqué recalls Pope Francis' letter to the German bishops in which he said that, 'just as the particular Churches live and flourish in the universal Church, if they are separated from the body they weaken, wither and die.'
The German Synodal Way is a meeting of German bishops where some members are strongly calling for the approval of proposals such as optional celibacy for priests or the blessing of same-sex couples.
RM
TR: KG
