Church crisis: Catholic action demands real participation now!

Church crisis: Catholic action demands real participation now!

The Catholic Action Austria (KAÖ) is committed to **binding rights to have a say** at church leadership level, a demand that was made clear in a recent broadcast by Vice President Katharina Renner. Renner emphasizes that the church today is not only struggling with a decline in members, but also with the recurring disappointment of particularly committed believers. She finds that **stable structures** are constantly being undermined, leading to growing indifference. The lack of regret from the bishops about this situation is alarming. Renner calls for a **real culture of having a say**, especially at the bishop level, as this is the only way to initiate the necessary changes in the church structure, and that the principles of **consultation, transparency and accountability** should be applied when nominating new bishops, as was also demanded by the World Synod kathpress.at reported.

A synodal process in Vienna

On Tuesday, February 1st, an event will take place in Vienna that will deal with the **synodal process** within the Catholic Church. Renner will speak about central questions of participation in a discussion with Andrea Geiger, head of the APG office of the Archdiocese of Vienna, and Johann Pock, a renowned pastoral theologian. In particular, it will be discussed how the synodal process is to be understood under the keyword ***community, participation and mission*** and what role lay organizations play in it kaoe.at. The topics range from the current position of the Archdiocese of Vienna to the implementation of the participation of all believers called for by the Pope. The event is in compliance with the 2G rule and will also be broadcast via live stream.