"Much depends on whether we rediscover the joy of being baptised and allow it to permeate our personal lives and those of our congregations and groups," writes Löser in a guest article for"Herder Korrespondenz" (current issue).
"Without this spiritual basis, neither far-reaching reforms nor progress in ecumenism are possible." The ball is therefore now in the court of the local dioceses and parishes.
Open questions such as Eucharistic hospitality or the mutual recognition of ministries remain on the table.
However, the sentence often quoted by Pope Francis and included in the final document of the synod was confirmed: "The path of synodality that the Catholic Church is currently travelling must be ecumenical, just as the ecumenical path is synodal." For Löser, this means: "An ever deeper awareness that we belong together and need each other, as well as singing, praying, being silent and acting together create a climate that is also theologically fruitful."
Forms of communion for Orthodox and Protestant churches
The final document of the synod speaks strikingly often of "the churches", says the Taizé brother. This refers first and foremost to the local churches and the Eastern Catholic churches.
"And if the Catholic Church sees itself as 'a church of churches' (No. 38), then perhaps forms of communion with Rome that do not monopolise will also open up to Protestant and Orthodox churches."
Löser believes that the churches should be accountable to each other for what they do and proclaim. "In order for the Gospel to be proclaimed more credibly, the final document calls for nothing less than 'an ecumenical synod' (No. 138)!"
Löser, a Catholic from Germany, was Prior of the ecumenical Taizé Community in France from 2005 to 2023.
Since his resignation, he has lived in the fraternity of the community in Cuba. He took part in the Synod on Synodality as an "invitato speciale".
His community also led an ecumenical prayer in St Peter's Square at the start of the synod.