Listening was the priority for the Archdiocese of Salzburg in the survey for the synodal process. This was initiated by Pope Francis. The participants in Salzburg were able to take part either alone or in groups using a qualitative survey. They were not simply supposed to tick off ready-made answers, but rather their mood for the in their own words

Archbishop Lackner: “We must make friends with diversity”

The Church in Salzburg is very heterogeneous. This is one of the most important results of the synodal process. Around 3,000 people were in the process, which was supposed to provide a picture of the mood of the believers, said Birgit Bahtic-Kunrath, who accompanied the survey scientifically. “There are very different ideas about how the church should be.”

The desire of the Salzburg believers for change, for uniform and spiritual reforms – such as consecration of women, celibacy or dealing with remarried divorcees – is great, said Bahtic-Kunrath, who also co-authored the final document. At the same time, however, there are also many Catholics for whom the traditions are very important and who want to preserve them. Archbishop Franz Lackner is also surprised at the variety of responses: “As an institution, we are challenged by the management to make friends with this diversity. But the Pope says yes, in every human being there is God”.

Young people want church on an equal footing

Children and young people should be heard more in the church, the political scientist called another finding. Young people – 900 boys and girls alone took part in a children’s survey – want more vitality and joie de vivre from their church. The high level of participation among young people was surprising, says Kerstin Altenberger, youth officer in Pinzgau: “Many are concerned with openness and more diversity in the church. Accessibility in the buildings was also a major issue.”

Furthermore, there is a desire for small, clear structures in order to live the faith. Criticism of the parish associations is often behind this. “The parish is the core of the Christian community,” said Bahtic-Kunrath. It is also important to start here. The synodal process in Salzburg has shown that there are many issues – such as women’s ordination or celibacy – that need to be resolved at the level of the universal church. But a lot of wishes relate to things that can be changed on site. For example, the formation of community or the relief of priests through the involvement of lay people.

Wishes go to Rome

In the next step, the Salzburg final document entitled “Community, Participation, Mission” will be linked to the documents of the other dioceses in the Bishops’ Conference. After that, the Austrian positions will be sent to Rome for the preparation of the 2023 Synod of Bishops, said Archbishop Franz Lackner. Applications from all over the world will then be heard there