Representatives of the Roman Curia and the German bishops met for talks at the Vatican on 28 June.
A subsequent joint statement spoke, as usual, of a "positive, open and constructive atmosphere". The other usual word, "cordial", was omitted.
The German bishops reported on the last meeting of their "Synod Committee", which they presented as a "temporary working body".
The discussion centred on "canonical aspects" of establishing a "synodality" in the [disintegrating] Church in Germany.
The statement says at the same time that the German bishops and the Curia should "draw up a draft" for a possible national synodal body and that various aspects "of the current draft" for this body should be changed.
The Roman Curia wants to change the name of the "Synodal Committee" [to create the illusion that by changing the name the content would also be changed]. The Vatican doesn't accept the "Synodal Committee" because the Germans want it to be like an Anglican General Synod.
The Roman Curia was …More