A group of pilgrims presented Pope Francis with a "reformation manifesto" critical of the German synodal path, German Catholic news agency KNA reported.

In addition to the pope's January 5 general audience, representatives of the "Neuer Anfang" ("New Beginning") initiative handed him a pamphlet containing their own statements on topics that were also introduced in the synodal path consultations, which were to begin with. it was done. The German Episcopal Conference and the Central Committee of German Catholics.

A member of the group said that they submitted the manifesto directly to the pope because its ideas had no chance of being accepted by members of the Synodal tract in Germany.

In his manifesto, he thanked the Pope for introducing the World Episcopal Synod on Synod and said that "the synodal path in Germany is getting out of hand."

The text states, "the joy of the gospel" appears to be lost in the "discord of political groups".

The manifesto and "Letters from the Pilgrims of God to the Pope" stem from an initiative initiated by Bernhard Meuser, a German preacher, and Martin Bruske, a theologian who taught in Switzerland.

The "Declaration of Faith" signed by about 6,000 people from Germany and other European countries includes nine principles. They include the legitimacy of the synodal tract, the unity of the church, power, women, marriage, laymen and priests as well as abuses. The manifesto sharply criticized demands for the synodal path, which amounted to "the self-secularization of the Church", as Meuser told KNA.

The Manifesto contains a set of propositions: any reform must be in unity with the Universal Church; There should be no separate National Road; The power in the church must serve and be lawful and transparent.

"There is actually abuse of power in the church as well," it says. However, it adds that he does not want "a church of officials and functionaries".

The manifesto stated that the sanctity of the Church should be preserved, as should the distinction between the clergy and the laymen. Women's abilities should be more strongly recognized; However, their refusal to enter the priesthood is not discrimination, it adds. It also supports the special status of traditional marriage as a sacrament and opposes the blessing of same-sex couples.