Documents

You can find all available texts and documents of the Synodal Path in English on this website, e.g. the statues and rules of the Synodal Path in general and some texts of the past Synodal Assemblies.

This website also contains all decisions of the Synodal Path made in one of the five Synodal Assemblies from 2020 to 2023. The decisions base on the deliberations and preparations in the four Synodal Forums.

Anthology (SW 20)
Decisions of the Synodal Path of the Catholic Church in Germany
This publication contains all decisions of the Synodal Path made in one of the five Synodal Assemblies from 2020 to 2023.
 

SW 1 – Preamble text
Listen, learn, taking new ways: The Synodal Path of the Catholic Church in Germany
Decision of the Synodal Path adopted by the Synodal Assembly on March 11, 2023

SW2 – Orientation text
On the path of conversion and renewal Theological foundations of the Synodal Path of the Catholic Church in Germany
Decision of the Synodal Path adopted by the Synodal Assembly on February 3, 2022

SW 3 – Foundational text
Power and separation of powers in the Church – Joint participation and involvement in the mission
Decision of the Synodal Path adopted by the Synodal Assembly on February 3, 2022

SW 4 –  Foundational text
Priestly existence today
Decision of the Synodal Path adopted by the Synodal Assembly on February 3, 2022

SW 5 – Foundational text
Women in ministries and offices in the Church
Decision of the Synodal Path adopted by the Synodal Assembly on September 9, 2022

SW 7 – Implementation text
Involvement of the faithful in the appointment of the diocesan bishop
Decision of the Synodal Path adopted by the Synodal Assembly on February 3, 2022

SW 8 – Implementation text
A re-evaluation of homosexuality in the Magisterium
Decision of the Synodal Path adopted by the Synodal Assembly on September 9, 2022

SW 9 – Implementation text
Fundamental Order of Ecclesial Ministry
Decision of the Synodal Path adopted by the Synodal Assembly on September 9, 2022

SW 10 – Implementation text
Sustainable strengthening of Synodality: A Synodal Council for the Catholic Church in Germany
Decision of the Synodal Path adopted by the Synodal Assembly on September 10, 2022

SW 11 – Implementation text
The celibacy of priests – strengthening and opening
Decision of the Synodal Path adopted by the Synodal Assembly on March 9, 2023

SW 12 – Implementation text
Proclamation of the Gospel by authorised baptised and confirmed persons in word and sacrament
Decision of the Synodal Path adopted by the Synodal Assembly on March 10, 2023

SW 13 – Implementation text
Blessing ceremonies for couples who love each other
Decision of the Synodal Path adopted by the Synodal Assembly on March 10, 2023

SW 14 – Implementation text
Prevention of sexualised violence, intervention and dealing with perpetrators and suspects in the Catholic Church
Decision of the Synodal Path adopted by the Synodal Assembly on March 10, 2023

SW 15 – Implementation text
Dealing with gender diversity
Decision of the Synodal Path adopted by the Synodal Assembly on March 10, 2023

SW 16 – Implementation text
Women in sacramental ministries – Perspectives for the universal church dialogue
Decision of the Synodal Path adopted by the Synodal Assembly on March 11, 2023

Here we offer all texts of the Fifth Synodal Assembly available in English. The Fifth Synodal Assembly of the Synodal Path takes place from March 9th to 11th, 2023.

Programme of the Fifth Synodal Assemly

Synodal Committee
Second Reading – preamble text
 

Synodal Forum I “Power and separation of powers in the Church - Joint participation and involvement in the mission”

Second Reading – implementation text “Joint consultation and decision-making”
 

Synodal Forum II “Priestly existence today”

Second Reading – foundational text “Priestly existence today”

Second Reading – implementation text “Celibacy of priests – encouragement and opening”

Second Reading – implementation text “Prevention of sexualised violence, intervention and dealing with perpetrators in the Catholic Church”
 

Synodal Forum III “Women in ministries and offices in the Church”

First Reading – implementation text “Measures against abuse of women in the Church”

Second Reading – implementation text “Women in sacramental ministry – Perspectives for the universal church dialogue”

Second Reading – implementation text “Proclamation of the Gospel by lay people in word and sacrament”
 

Synodal Forum IV “Life in succeeding relationships - Living love in sexuality and partnership”

Second Reading – implementation text “Blessing ceremonies for couples who love each other”

Second Reading – implementation text “Dealing with gender diversity”

Here we offer all texts of the Forth Synodal Assembly available in English. The Forth Synodal Assembly of the Synodal Path takes place from September 5th to 10th, 2022.

Programme of the Forth Synodal Assembly

Synodal Forum I “Power and separation of powers in the Church – Joint participation and involvement in the mission”

First Reading – implementation text “Fundamental rights of the faithful in the Church”

Second Reading – implementation text “Joint consultation and decision-making”

Second Reading – implementation text “Sustainable strengthening of Synodality: A Synodal Council for the Catholic Church in Germany”

Synodal Forum II “Priestly existence today”

First Reading – implementation text “Breaking with taboos and normalisation – votes on the situation of non-heterosexual priests”

Second Reading – foundational text “Priestly existence today”

Second Reading – implementation text “Celibacy of priests – encouragement and opening”

Synodal Forum III “Women in ministries and offices in the Church”

First Reading – implementation text “Measures against abuse of women in the Church”

Second Reading – foundational text “Women in ministries and offices in the Church”

Second Reading – implementation text “Presence and Leadership – Women in the Church and in theology”

Synodal Forum IV “Life in succeeding relationships - Living love in sexuality and partnership”

Second Reading – foundational text “Life in succeeding relationships – The principles of renewed sexual ethics”

Second Reading – implementation text “Basic Order of Church Service”

Second Reading – implementation text “A re-evaluation of homosexuality in the Magisterium”

Second Reading – implementation text “Dealing with gender diversity”
 

Here we offer all texts of the Third Synodal Assembly available in English. The Second Synodal Assembly of the Synodal Path takes place from February 3rd to 5th, 2022.

Programme of the Third Synodal Assembly

Second Reading – orientation text
 

Synodal Forum I “Power and separation of powers in the Church – Joint participation and involvement in the mission”

• Second Reading – foundational text “Power and separation of powers in the Church - Joint Participation and involvement in the mission”
• Second Reading – implementation text “Involvement of the faithful in the appointment of the diocesan bishop”
   

Synodal Forum II “Priestly existence today”

• First Reading – implementation text “Prevention and dealing with perpetrators”

• First Reading – implementation text “Personality development and professionalisation”

• First Reading – implementation text “The vow of celibacy in the priestly ministry”
   

Synodal Forum III “Women in ministries and offices in the Church”

• First Reading – foundational text “Women in ministries and offices in the Church”
• First Reading – implementation text “Diaconate of women”
   

Synodal Forum IV “Life in succeeding relationships - Living love in sexuality and partnership”

• First Reading – implementation text “Basic Order of Church Service”
• First Reading – implementation text “Blessing ceremonies for couples who love each other”
• First Reading – implementation text “Magisterial statements on conjugal love’’

Here we offer all draft texts of the Second Synodal Assembly available in Englisch.

The Second Synodal Assembly of the Synodal Path took place from September 30th to October 2nd, 2021. For the first time, the members discussed and voted on texts in the First Reading. The Synodal Commitee has submitted a preamble text and an orientation text with hermeneutical principles. The four Synodal Forums submitted a total of three basic texts and eleven action texts. All current available files are draft files.

First Reading – orientation text
 

Synodal Forum I “Power and separation of powers in the Church – Joint participation and involvement in the mission”

• First Reading – basic text
• First Reading – action text “Involvement of the faithful in the appointment of the diocesan bishop”
• First Reading – action text “Joint consultation and decision-making”

• First Reading – action text “Ombudsperson’s Office for the prevention and reappraisal of abuse of power by persons of authority in the Church”

• First Reading – action text “Sermon regulation”

• First Reading – action text “Framework regulation for diocesan finances”

• First Reading – action text “Framework regulation for accountability”

• First Reading – action text “Guarantee of legal recourse”

• First Reading – action text “Sustainable strengthening of Synodality: A Synodal Council for the Catholic Church in Germany”
   

Synodal Forum II “Priestly existence today”

First Reading – basic text
 

Synodal Forum III “Women in ministries and offices in the Church”

• First Reading – action text “Management of parishes, congregations and pastoral spaces”
• First Reading – action text “Women at Theological Faculties, Institutes and Church Universities”
• First Reading – action text “Exchange of theological argumentation in universal church contexts”
   

Synodal Forum IV “Life in succeeding relationships – Living love in sexuality and partnership”

First Reading – basic text