In a written communication to the German bishops, the Vatican has made it clear that the ordination of women and potential changes to the Church's stance on homosexuality are not up for debate during the upcoming meetings with the delegates of the German Synodal Way in Rome. The letter, dated October 23 and written by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, cautioned against any divergence from the Church's teachings and highlighted potential disciplinary consequences for those who go against its doctrine.

The Vatican's position was, once again, reinforced in light of the German Synodal Way's resolution to advocate for the ordination of women. Cardinal Parolin's letter pointed out that Pope Francis has repeatedly reiterated St. John Paul II's statement in Ordinatio Sacerdotalis that the Church lacks the authority to ordain women as priests. Quoting Pope Francis's words on the importance of recognizing the role and dignity of women, the letter also warned of potential disciplinary measures, including excommunication, for anyone attempting to ordain a woman.

Regarding the Church's teaching on homosexual acts, the Vatican's letter emphasized that the local Church has no room for differing viewpoints on this matter. The document stated that even though there may be subjective factors that call for non-judgment of individuals, it does not alter the objective assessment of the morality of such acts. The letter referenced Pope Francis's 2019 message to German Catholics, in which he cautioned against the influence of worldly values and the anti-evangelical spirit.

The Vatican's stance is a continuation of its concerns regarding the German Synodal Way. In his letter dated November 10, Pope Francis expressed deep reservations about the direction taken by the local Church segment, particularly the attempts to establish a permanent "Synodal Council" that would govern the Catholic Church in Germany. The Pope, instead, advocated for prayer, penance, and adoration as a way forward.

It remains to be seen how the German Synodal Way's organizers will respond to the Vatican's latest intervention. The upcoming meetings, scheduled for January, April, and July 2024, will cover various topics related to theology, morality, and liturgy, as part of the ongoing dialogue between the German bishops and representatives of the Roman Curia. The Vatican's letter serves as a reminder to respect the universal Synod on Synodality and to avoid creating parallel initiatives that could undermine the collaborative efforts of the Church as a whole.