The fact that the President of the EU Commission is not prepared to receive bishops shows just how much times have changed, he criticised on Tuesday evening in Aachen Cathedral.
With regard to the Catholic Church, he said that the many scandals made people weep. Hollerich emphasised that faith and the institution of the Church were weakening in Europe. Some reacted to this by wanting to go back to the past, while others called for the doors of the church to be opened wide.
"We must not look to the past, but must remain forward-looking," he demanded. The hierarchy in the church does not necessarily have to be pyramidal, he said. "A bishop is no more part of the people of God than the laity," emphasised Hollerich. The archbishop called on the national bishops' conferences to work more closely together. There is a crisis of faith that goes deeper than the crisis in the structure of the Church. "A mere structural reform will not do justice to the crisis of faith."
Hearing different voices from the church
Hollerich also commented on the reform debate on the synodal path of the Catholic Church in Germany. This should neither be demonised nor seen as the solution to all problems. "Perhaps we could have waited a little longer," he explained.
Only a certain base had been heard there, which was represented in committees. In Hollerich's opinion, the fears of bishops who are critical of the Synodal Path must also be taken seriously.
German bishops and lay representatives have been discussing the future of the Catholic Church in the Synodal Path since 2019.
The starting point is a years-long church crisis that has been exacerbated by the abuse scandal.
The debate primarily centres on the topics of power, priesthood and sexual morality, as well as the role of women in the church.
With regard to Europe, Hollerich called for the church to take a clear stance. "But we cannot adapt, because there is also conflict, and there will be more."
If, for example, a fundamental right to abortion is demanded at EU level, a decision of conscience can no longer be made. "God is also present in secular European society," emphasised Hollerich.