Summary
In a critique of German Catholic Church leadership, former president of the German Bishops’ Conference Bishop Hubertus Teuber criticized what he called “a self-isolation” by individual bishops rather than broader issues. This view is echoed by many laypeople who feel excluded from synodal processes despite their importance. A recent evaluation found that less than 30% of members of the German Bishops’ Conference (DBK) participated in a scientific assessment of the synod’s progress, suggesting significant opposition to its direction. Laypeople were also largely unenthusiastic about the synod, with only around 45% ready to provide their experiences during one such meeting. This contrasts sharply with previous expectations that a “Star Hour” for German Catholicism would have been characterized by more widespread support and engagement.
Key Topics
Bishop disapproval, Synodal evaluation, Laien participation
