Liechtenstein association wants to start synodal process alone | DOMRADIO.DE
A Liechtenstein lay association will start a synodal process in the Principality without Archbishop Wolfgang Haas. So far, he has shown no interest in this.
The chance that Haas will still take part is ten percent, said Christel Kaufmann from the “Association for an Open Church” in an interview with the Swiss portal kath.ch.
The aim was to present the conservative Archbishop of Vad, but actually to win him over for the “We are campaign, emphasized Kaufmann. The association had tried in vain to get in touch with him by phone; perhaps it had something to do with his alleged illness, so the 63-year-old: “We have now informed him in writing and invited him to take part in the synodal process – for example in program items.”
Results to the Archbishop and to Rome
To her motivation to organize synodal process bypassing the bishop, Kaufmann said: “We are all baptized. And Rome expressly calls on us to get involved.” The results are to be sent both to Archbishop Haas and directly to Rome.
Haas had declared on the archbishopric’s website that “the close relationships in our parishes allowed pastors and laypeople to contact each other quickly and easily” and that a synodal process like that which Pope Francis had proclaimed worldwide was therefore not necessary.
Kaufmann is looking for: “Who thinks they are important enough to go to the archbishop to ask for an appointment?” They want a bishop who in turn “goes out to the people and shows interest”. She further criticizes that most weddings in Liechtenstein take place without the Eucharistic celebration; “because the bride and groom already have a child or live together”. There are also pastors who expressly stated: Those who have not confessed should not come to communion. This is “a church that is alien to life and not a church in today’s world”.
Ten questions for the household
Kaufmann announced that the association would write to all households in Liechtenstein and promote the synodal process. Ten questions are noted on a leporello that people in groups, clubs and school classes could discuss. The starting service is scheduled to take place on January 8th. The results could be sent back to the association by post by February 28th. By the time the synodal process is expected to be completed on March 19, there would be five more publicly moderated discussion rounds.