Kasper Questions Synodal Way

You are not signed in as a Premium user; you are viewing the free version of this program. Premium users have access to full-length programs with limited commercials and receive a 10% discount in the store! Sign up for only one day for the low cost of $1.99. Click the button below.

See All Plans

CLICK TO WATCH THE VIDEO

TRANSCRIPT

Germany's Synodal Path has gone so far off the rails, even one of its chief supporters is criticizing it. Church Militant's Paul Murano reports on this latest challenge to the Church in Germany — and where this path may be leading.

The so-called Synodal Path or Synodal Way is the German bishops' continuous meeting of minds to change the Church from within, to correspond to the movements of the modern world.

Father Gerald Murray: "It's more or less a 'Protestantization' of the Church, and, even worse, it's basically apostasy because they are going to get rid of doctrines they don't agree with."

In a lecture last Friday in Rome, German cardinal Walter Kasper admitted he's worried the synod's proposal on the hierarchy goes even further than the Second Vatican Council would allow. Kasper has spent years arguing divorced and civilly remarried Catholics, living in a state of adultery, may receive Holy Communion.

Cardinal Walter Kasper: "To tell them that's adultery, permanent adultery — I think they would feel insulted and offended."
 
Kasper is very familiar with the ambiguous lingo of post–Vatican II theology.

Kasper: "It's a question of accompanying this couple so I can encourage them to do according to their conscience."
 
Yet even Kasper now sees the German Synodal Path as moving in a direction that is not Catholic. Father Wolfgang Picken agrees and co-authored a counterproposal for consideration. It was rejected without debate by the synod chairs.
 
How this Synodal Path will end is anyone's guess. Some critics believe the German bishops are carving out yet another Protestant denomination, for disgruntled fake Catholics.

The Synodal Path, which consists of 230 bishops, priests and laymen, began in December 2019. Its original goal was to conclude in two years.

Have a news tip? Submit news to our tip line.

We rely on you to support our news reporting. Please donate today.