Faith or belief system - The bishop believes the church has an opportunity for reformation.
At the German Catholic Days in Erfurt, the bishops are optimistic about potential changes within the Catholic Church despite resistance from the Vatican. Key points include incorporating lay members and ordaining women as deacons, as mentioned by Georg Bätzing, chairman of the German Bishops' Conference.
The three-day gathering, attended by an estimated 20,000 people, started on Wednesday and includes discussions around reforms in the church. One of these discussions between Bishop Bätzing and Irme Stetter-Karp, head of the Central Committee of German Catholics, took place on Thursday.
Bätzing believes there is a chance for women to become deacons in the Catholic Church, however, he seems hesitant to commit to a specific timeline. Pope Francis has previously stated that there would not be a possibility for a Catholic girl to become a consecrated deacon. Bätzing claims he has heard the Pope make contradictory remarks on the matter. Forcing the ordination of women in Germany could result in a division within the church, Bätzing warned, referencing the church's past break 500 years ago.
Stetter-Karp urged for increased speed in these reforms. She emphasized the need for an attractive church that can inspire people, as many are discouraged by the abuse scandal. Stetter-Karp noted that 96% of Catholics in Germany are keen on changes. However, she also expressed her frustration with the slow progress in the Synodal Way reform process. Despite this, she believes in the power of change and remains optimistic.
Thuringia's Prime Minister, Bodo Ramelow, backed the stance of the church leaders, criticizing the AfD's approach to dialogue. Ramelow argues that the AfD tries to paint themselves as victims, and that the Catholic Days have no interest in such a "trial-and-error" situation.
Despite promising discussions and events, the weather is also a significant concern. Heavy rain has been predicted, possibly accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms over the weekend. The organizing team is in contact with the German Weather Service and will respond accordingly if the situation becomes threatening. Events could be cancelled or relocated if necessary, but no changes have been made thus far. The Catholic Days app is being used to keep participants informed.
A human rights activist, Irina Scherbakowa, was invited to contribute to various formats at the festival, where she shared her concerns about the situation in her home country, Russia. Scherbakowa calls attention to the dangers of losing faith in reliable institutions within society.
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