by Christian Bauer

The synodal path of the German Catholic Church has started promisingly. A common path ("syn-odos"), which was initiated out of horror at the structural sin [1] of the sexual or spiritual abuse of power within the church and especially - like every further one spiritual process - started with an open and honest look at church reality: apparently without a ban on discussion, supported by mutual respect and at a noticeable eye level. The only exceptions were Bishop Voderholzer, who angrily intervened during a speech, and Cardinal Woelki, who followed the words after the first Synodal Assembly, by the consecration of consecrated and non-consecrated people at the opening service, through the alphabetical - and thus familiar constellations - Seating arrangements and "many other small signs" question the hierarchical structure of the church.

The Austrian Church also needs a process of synodal self-purification - the motto here is: Dare more synodality! Because here in Germany too we need a long overdue change in the overall pastoral frame of reference: away from a clerical to a synodal frame of church practice. Here, too, Pope Francis shows the Jesus-moved path of a "conversión pastoral", which calls the Church to repent from structures that are contrary to the Gospel and embarks on a determined path of self-evangelization. This path can and must realize itself what it aims for: a jesuan path community ("Societas Jesu" [2] ) inside and outside.