World Synod German canon lawyer Schüller harshly criticizes the Pope

The German canon lawyer Thomas Schüller has expressed his deep disappointment at the World Synod in the Vatican, which ends this weekend. Francis is acting according to the maxim: "I, the Pope, am the Church, period."

The church meeting had "basically achieved nothing", the Münster-based theologian told the German Press Agency. "In many controversial issues, such as the ordination of women as deacons or a fundamental change in sexual morality, Francis has authoritatively spoken a papal basta."

The Pope repeatedly affirms that he wants a listening synodal church that includes all believers. But when in doubt, he uses the unlimited power of his office to enforce his own convictions - such as continuing the discrimination against women, who are excluded from the priesthood in the Catholic Church.

This is "pure paternalism". As a result, the Catholic Church is permanently losing women, not only in the West, but in all parts of the global church. Even with the establishment of binding communal decision-making bodies, the classic division remains: "The faithful are to be heard on all important topics in synodal bodies in the future, but in the end the bishop decides completely freely."

Although women and laypeople were allowed to attend the World Synod as a nice decoration, the event once again showed that "in the end, the Pope decides as a monarch," said Schüller.

A final document is to be produced at the end of the four-week consultations. More than 360 bishops and other clergy as well as Catholics without church office took part in the World Synod, including more than 50 women. The Pope alone will decide which of the recommendations will be implemented.

SDA