Synodalität. Kirche im Prozess der Erneuerung

Synodality is the current search profile in which the Roman Catholic Church is reassuring itself of its mission. The process "For a Synodal Church" has been underway since 2021, when surveys and opinion polls were conducted worldwide and then the Roman Synod convened for its first session from 4-29 October 2023 in Rome. For the first time, non-bishops, clergy and laity, including 54 women, are also members of the synod. Knobloch deals with both the preparatory document for the synod and the synthesis report on the first session in October 2023. In German-speaking countries, interest in the Roman Synod is rather restrained, as the "Synodal Way" had caused some disappointment. The honest and open endeavours of the Roman Synod give cause for hope. Synodality is not a neologism, not a new linguistic creation, but an expression of living tradition. It is not a matter of turning a few adjusting screws. The synod offers the opportunity to make synodality the guiding principle of church practice. A synodality to which both the Petrine ministry and the bishops, as well as all other ministries and services, including the baptismal ministries, must orientate themselves. Perhaps synodality will prove to be a ray of sunshine on the Church's burning glass, under which the Church catches fire.