Salzburg’s Catholics are interviewed for a world synod
“Give faith a voice” – this is the motto of the synodal process in the Archdiocese of Salzburg. This process was officially started on Sunday afternoon with a service by Archbishop Franz Lackner and around 250 believers in Salzburg Cathedral. On the website of the archdiocese there is now several questionnairesthat interested parties can fill out by December 7th. It is about how believers imagine the Catholic Church or what can be done better.
In addition to the online questionnaires, church representatives also want to organize roundtables and get in personal contact with the faithful, emphasizes Deacon Dino Bachmaier: “We want to go to the people – that is, visits to the sick, in homes for the elderly, kindergartens or schools. We try to reach the people there – with their needs. “
Archbishop: “Contribute to the Church’s Good Progress”
With the synodal process, the church wants to get closer to the Catholics and also motivate some to get involved, emphasizes Lackner: “It’s not just about passing on the topics and someone else should do it, but also about doing it yourself great, so that the church can make good progress in the 21st century. “
After financial and abuse scandals, the church wants to regain the trust of many believers: “That is why we have been working for years: How can we reach the people of today?” Says the Archbishop. There are some “breaks in church history that we feel sorry for. We must atone for this and make amends. But that’s part of it. ”Lackner assures us that the church wants to hear that and honestly exchange ideas with the faithful.
Church synod started in Salzburg
“The question of women is a great open wound in the church”
The church wants to address all believers, from old to young, adds Kerstin Altenberger from the Catholic Youth Salzburg: “I trust that our archdiocese.”
Olivia Keglevic from the Catholic Women’s Movement says Olivia Keglevic from the Catholic Women’s Movement: “The women’s question is a great open wound in the Church. Everyone involved knows that. For me personally, this process is about much more than just the women’s issue. And so it makes sense to take part in order to put all the subject areas on the table and see: Solutions are needed. “
The results of the survey will be discussed in Rome in 2023
On Sunday the synodal process started not only in Salzburg, but all over the world – in this form completely new for the Catholic Church. In October 2023, all the bishops and the Pope will meet in Rome to discuss the results of the synod and possible reforms.