Women holding a placard showing Our Lady with her mouth taped shut at a vigil © Andre Zelck (KNA)
Reform-oriented Catholic women's groups are planning an "alternative program" parallel to the first synodal assembly in Frankfurt, including a rally, candlelight devotion and night vigil. They want to pray for a "truthful and reforming church".
The Catholic Women's Association of Germany (kfd) is calling for the 30. January to hold a rally, according to a statement Thursday from the city's Catholic church. Prayers and a candlelight vigil in front of Frankfurt Cathedral are planned, he said. There begins at 17.00 a.m. the opening service of the Synodal Way with nearly 70 German bishops and 160 other members of the synodal assembly.
On 31. January, women from Aktion Maria 2.0, the Catholic Women's Council, and St. Bartholomew's Cathedral Parish at 19.00 a.m. in the cathedral for a service of the word. "Powerful, inspiring and empowering" prayers are to be offered for a gender-just, people-friendly, truthful and reform-minded church, they said. From 21.At noon, a fire will be lit in front of the cathedral and Compline, the church's night prayer, will be prayed. All participants in the Synodal Way are also invited to attend. Afterwards the women want to stay for a vigil on the cathedral square.
Catholic women parishioners call for equal rights
Before the start of the Synodal Way, the Federal Association of Parish Assistants also demanded equal rights for women and men in the church. Leadership responsibility must be assigned according to competence and regardless of priestly ordination or gender, the association demanded on Thursday in Widdern. Women must have "equal participation and co-determination".
Since in the current structure of the church certain offices are reserved only for priests, equality can only be achieved "if women are allowed to be ordained priests in a timely manner," he says. The discussed ordination of deaconesses is by no means sufficient. Parish leaders also urge change in Catholic sexual morality and more respect for "diverse ways of life," such as same-sex couples and families.
"We expect clear signals, for example, clear votes"
The association is aware that not all "necessary changes" can be implemented within the framework of the Synodal Way, the statement said. "That is why we expect clear signals in these cases, for example in the form of clear votes from the Catholic Church of Germany similar to the statements of the Amazon Synod concluded a few weeks ago."
The work on the content of the reform dialogue in the Catholic Church will begin on 30 September. January in Frankfurt with a synodal assembly of about 230 church representatives from all over Germany. Five parish workers are taking part in the deliberations as delegates of the federal association.