Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki from Cologne takes an extremely critical view of the situation of the Catholic Church in Germany.
"I have the impression that our Church in Germany is more polarised than ever," said the Archbishop in a lecture on the Synodal Path reform dialogue published on the Archdiocese of Cologne's website.
"There were already tensions before, we all know that. But now they are so strong that I am increasingly worried."
Nevertheless, some of the Synodal Path's impulses could be implemented.
Woelki gave the speech to the archdiocese's lay representatives, the Diocesan Council, in mid-November.
Triggered by the abuse scandal, the bishops and the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK) launched the Synodal Path reform dialogue in 2019.
The consultations of the synodal assembly, which ended in spring 2023, focused on sexual morality, the priestly way of life, power and the separation of powers as well as the role of women in the church.
"Didn't want to be a pure naysayer"
Woelki sees the unity of the universal church as being threatened by the synodal path. That is why he voted against it on issues where he saw this unity jeopardised. "But I didn't want to be a pure naysayer either - even if I did vote no on some issues."
The "hot potatoes", including the abolition of celibacy for priests, the ordination of women to the priesthood and the re-evaluation of homosexuality, were to be decided by the Pope. He was therefore grateful that German bishops had raised these problems and questions during the World Synod in Rome in October.
"Should the papal magisterium - contrary to my theological assessment - come to a different judgement on these issues, what God's revelation, which wants to lead us to communion with God and to complete joy, and the tradition in the Church testify to, I will willingly follow it."
According to the cardinal, the consultations on the synodal path were "unfortunately not always very synodal". There was not enough time to really understand, listen to and analyse the arguments.
Woelki also reiterated his rejection of the Synodal Committee. The committee of laypeople and bishops is to stabilise the reform debate and prepare a Synodal Council, which has met with rejection in Rome.
"I cannot go against the Pope's instructions or those of his closest collaborators," said Woelki. "For me, such a path leads to a dead end."
Nevertheless, he sees impulses from the synodal path that can be implemented very well for the Archdiocese of Cologne - for example with regard to measures against sexualised violence and reforms in the training of priests.
For example, Cologne was the first diocese in Germany to introduce a psychological potential analysis of every candidate across the board.