On the way towards the Synod

The traditional meeting with journalists – broadcast live on domradio.de, digital channel of the German Church – closed the Spring plenary session of the German Bishops’ Conference – DBK. Cardinal Reinhard Marx, archbishop of Munich-Freising, DBK president, reviewed the proceedings of the meeting begun February 23. For the fist time in the history of the German Bishops’ Conference the bishops gathered in Hildesheim, following the invitation of bishop Norbert Trelleborg, on the occasion of 1200 years since the creation of the diocese. Various issues characterised the prelates’ debates, in the light of the situation inside the Church and inside German society: the refection on the family ahead of the Bishops’ Synod of next October with reference also to the new questionnaire presented to world faithful; the approach to migration and the reception of refugees and asylum-seekers, also considering acts of intolerance and xenophobia as Pegida, and with a strong thrust to priestly formation for reception and welcome; the challenge of digital communication and social media as a field of pastoral care and for the spread of the ecclesial message; the analysis of the situations of crisis at global level, with special reference to the threats coming from the so-called Islamic State and the war in Ukraine. The family at the centre of evangelization. Cardinal Reinhard Marx pointed out that the bishops “have spoken at length of the next Synod. We initially addressed the extraordinary General Assembly of the Bishops’ Synod of past October. From the results of the Assembly, that became lineamenta for the new debate, and which led to the new questionnaire, it emerged that it is fundamental that the family return to be the vital subject of evangelization”. Referring to the new questionnaire, which develops some of the themes addressed in the past, the Cardinal highlighted that “for us bishops it arrived in spite of all controversial issues in order to extend our horizons and renew the proclamation of the Gospel of the family”. The Synod will be attended, in addition to Cardinal Marx, by the president of the Commission on Marriage and the Family, the bishop of Dresda Heiner Koch, and the president of the Pastoral Commission, the bishop of Osnabrück Franz-Josef Bode. The Pegida-problem, yes to reception. The bishop of Dresda, Monsignor Heiner Koch, animated the debate on migration-related problems, the welcome of refugees and the fight on discrimination on xenophobic grounds. Koch lamented “growing phenomena of racism” in Germany: “Those who incite against refugees, foreigners, migrants and coloured people, have the Church against them”, he said. As relates to the anti-Islamic movement Pediga, which began its xenophobic, racist demonstrations in Dresda, it was reported that the movement now has organizational problems, although it did not disappear. There was a division, but its founder, Lutz Bachmann, pursued “a right-wing radicalism in words and style”, Koch added. His re-election as leader of Pegida, on February 24, “signals that representative democracy in a part of German population could be experiencing a crisis in legitimacy”. On the question of charitable action and protection on the part of local ecclesial communities, the bishops took a very strong stand. The Church does not claim a special right for herself and if Christian communities host asylum-seekers this happens in specific cases, while the relevant regulations and legislations should be duly considered to avoid humanitarian difficulties and even the risk of violations of human rights after their flights from the Countries of departures. There remains the fundamental quest for the best solution in cooperation with government authorities. Towards the digital challenge. In his works Cardinal Marx repeatedly underlined the importance for the Church, not only the German one, to meet the challenge of the new communication, which through the use of social networks can pave new ways of evangelization. The day of study that the bishops dedicated to reflect on the theme of the pastoral care, of theology and of the approach with the faithful through the media on the web has given two answers: on the one side that the Church in Germany wants to keep up with the times, examining the best means to succeed. On the other, referring to the words of Ansgar Mayer, expert in digital communication, Cardinal Marx underlined that “people are constantly looking for answers, they want them as soon as possible. Reasons for being able to put to worth the desire to belong, participation, guidance, idealism, contact and identity management are important issues also for the Church”. Mayer’s advice “for us is that the Church start using the social media and not be afraid of digital communication”.