The path of dialogue

On July 10 a solemn Mass closed the first encounter of the dialogue process undertaken by the German Bishops’ Conference (DBK) for the renewal of the Catholic Church. It was “a dialogue between equals”, jointly underlined the bishops and lay people attending the two-day meeting that was held to the presence of three hundred representatives from dioceses, from the central Committee of German Catholics, along with University, religious orders and associations delegates. Follows a briefing on the reactions to the encounter. A renewed ability to communicate. “Audacity was rewarded”, said Msgr. Robert Zollitsch, DBK president, who underlined “the atmosphere of understanding” and “the enriching sharing of experiences, concerns and hopes”. “I was impressed”, he continued, “by the expressions of solidarity and appreciation towards our Church”. “The slogan of the forum (“Believing in today: on whose side are we on?”), added the archbishop, “represents the foundation of a discourse on faith and on tomorrow’s Church, marked by utmost respect”. Therefore, “our journey is proceeding in the right direction. I assure that we will continue along this path”, he added. “In Manheim we had the opportunity of experiencing what it means to be together on a journey united by faith”, Zollitsch said. He pointed out that “a new language and communication ability is developing within our German Church”. Finally, Zollitsch announced that in August, along with other major protagonists in the dialogue process – namely card. Reinhard Marx and the bishops Bode and Overbeck – will report to Pope Benedict XVI on the developments of the process.Continuing along this path. The archbishop of Munich and Freising card. Reinhard Marx, said he hopes that the forum that closed in Mannheim will provide a long-lasting impulse to the German Church. ‘We wish to continue along this path. Now we have to see the main points that will need to be expanded within the process, due to last several years. This is why it’s important that the concept of “communio”, of community, returns to be a concrete reality. All those baptized and Christened bear witness to the message of the Lord”. The cardinal underlined that “dialogue isn’t just action. It’s also the sign of an internal behaviour”. Msgr. Bode, bishop of Osnabrück, highlighted the atmosphere of openness and transparency that characterized the meeting. “In Mannheim I experienced that the level of trust has increased again. It is therefore necessary that our research follows a new direction”. “Only those who dare change their interior direction can address dialogue”. Msgr. Overbeck, bishop of Essen, positively valued the “solid cooperation” and the “communicative style” of the forum. “There is no form or sign of division within the Catholic Church. The meeting in Mannheim clearly testifies to the unity of the Church in our Country”, the bishop said, recalling that “the major challenge, now, is to bring the many insights and proposals on dialogue to fruition”. The meeting “brought to the fore the plurality within the Catholic Church”, which, according to the bishop, testifies to Church cohesion and sense of belonging. Do not fear the problems of the Church. Appreciation over the atmosphere of mutual trust was conveyed by Stefan Vesper, ZDK Secretary General, in a press conference that followed the meeting. According to Vesper, “the Katholikentag (the Day of Catholics) scheduled to take place next year in Mannheim will be an opportunity to address in a more concrete way the particular questions of the dialogue process”. For the ZDK president, the first phase of the dialogue process has been a success. “Serious and profound issues were addressed with no attempt at exchanging mutual accusations”. Marie Therese Opladen, Federal president of the Community of German Catholic Women said the opening of the dialogue process is an “important step. Others now need to follow suit. We must’s fear the problems of the Church”. In the next months, Msgr. Zolltisch announced that the participants in the meeting of Mannheim will receive an excerpt of the statements and insights that emerged in the encounters. Everyone is invited to take part in the Eucharistic celebration with Pope Benedict XVI in Freiburg. Finally, the bishops’ plenary assembly that will take place in October will discuss the ways in which the newborn dialogue process should be continued.