---
title: Cardinal Hollerich Calls for Acceptance of Diversity at European Synodality Meeting
url: https://www.faithfulnews.com/en/cardinal-hollerich-calls-for-acceptance-of-diversity-at-european-synodality-meeting
published: 2026-09-17T21:24:49+00:00
language: en
section: World Church
source: https://www.domradio.de/artikel/kardinal-hollerich-fordert-das-aushalten-von-verschiedenheit
organizations: Council of European Bishops' Conferences, Catholic Private University Linz, European Task Force for Synodality
publisher: FaithfulNews
---

# Cardinal Hollerich Calls for Acceptance of Diversity at European Synodality Meeting

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich has stated that the church does not always need to be of one opinion, asserting that diversity is an essential part of community and synodality.

During an international conference on synodality in Europe held in Upper Austria, Hollerich argued that the church has something to offer society if it learns to handle opposites without falling apart and treats diversity with respect. He analyzed that in modern societies, there is much speaking but little listening. He warned against a political culture where people with different positions are quickly labeled as opponents, especially given current issues such as migration, war, and fears about the future.

Approximately 180 participants from more than 30 countries gathered from Monday to Thursday to combine different experiences and perspectives from European local churches. The goal of the meeting is to develop a roadmap for the further implementation of the World Synod. The conference is organized by the Department for Synodality of the Catholic Private University Linz together with the European Task Force for Synodality, under the patronage of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences.

Over three working days, the participants are focusing on spiritual and liturgical dimensions, European social realities including polarization, war, and migration, and finally, structures, offices, and decision processes. The results will be evaluated and presented to the presidency of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences.

Cardinal Ladislav Nemet, the Archbishop of Belgrade and Vice President of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences, advocated for viewing diversity as the normal form. He noted that the Catholic Church is experienced under very different conditions in Europe, where it remains influential in some countries while struggling for permits in others. Nemet suggested learning from the experiences of Orthodox churches regarding synodality.

Both Nemet and Hollerich agreed that synodality will not lead to a single European uniform model. Instead, decentralized solutions may be necessary so local churches can respond to their specific cultural and social conditions. Nemet suggested greater leeway for bishops' conferences and more involvement of the people of God in selecting bishops. Hollerich emphasized the importance of continental associations and the need to communicate the gospel in a language understood by young people.

Klara Csiszar, the Vice Rector of the Catholic Private University Linz and head of its Department for Synodality, described synodality as a change in perspective. She emphasized that it is not about completing an additional program, but rather about repeatedly asking who is not traveling with the church and who is not represented in certain committees.