Theologian Söding urges churches to adopt unifying role in Europe

Theologian Thomas Söding warns that Europe may be torn apart if churches fail to mediate unity and diversity. He calls on European churches to take a unifying role in Europe. Söding says the European bishops' conference bears responsibility for greater reconciliation. He made the appeal in a guest article published online for the Herder Korrespondenz. Söding argues that unity and diversity are closely linked in Europe, a continent where they are intertwined more than elsewhere. He cites the recent international symposium Shaping Synodality in Europe held in Puchberg near Wels. The theologian warns that the church must not be divided by differences, especially on sexual ethics. Söding stresses that the church must not be split by individual, especially sexual, ethics. He says Europe is the continent where the relationship between faith and reason has been built, betrayed and rediscovered.

He adds that criticism of religion by reason is especially important worldwide. Söding argues that a European central administration would be both illusory and counterproductive. He calls for better mutual information and says the European bishops' conference should play an important role. Söding criticizes the symposium for focusing on the initiative of Linz pastoral theologian Klara Csiszar and the Roman Synod Secretariat. He says the European bishops' conference (CCEE) only offered a stewardship role despite Europe's difficulty in finding unity on the church level. The Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK) is the highest representative body of German lay Catholicism. It represents Catholic laypeople in shaping public opinion and coordinates lay engagement. Söding notes that some Catholic laypeople and groups do not recognize the ZdK as their representation.

He argues that women cannot become priests because the Bible does not support it and no bishop meets the biblical criteria. Söding sees the Pope's encyclical on artificial intelligence as a strong signal that links human dignity, peace ethics and synodality. He believes it strengthens the church's voice in current debates. He calls for reforms, greater international solidarity and stronger alliances for a sustainable future. He grew up in Hannover and earned his Abitur in Bad Harzburg. He lives in Münster because many things fit together there: a small metropolis, a Catholic church with culture, a city of science.