Two of Germany’s top canon lawyers have explained that the German Synodal Path must now end following a letter from Pope Francis to German bishops expressly stopping them from establishing a “permanent synodal council”.
Running to four pages, the letter states that German bishops do not have the authority to establish a permament synodal council composed of lay people and bishops to oversee the local Church.
It has been interpreted as a major intervention by the Vatican to bring an end to Germany’s controversial talks which many fear will tear the Church apart.
