Synod tensions can hurt but are ‘a good thing’

The tensions stirred up in the Church by the forthcoming Synod on the Family are “a good thing”, according to the new Archbishop of Berlin, Heiner Koch.

The subjects up for discussion at the October Synod were “deeply stirring”, Archbishop Koch said. They “touched” and “hurt” people and were causing considerable tension within the Church. Nevertheless, he told news agency Kathpress, this was a “good thing”.

Archbishop Koch is responsible for family affairs in the German bishops’ conference and will be attending the Synod. He warned against concentrating chiefly on the two “hot” issues of remarried divorcees and homosexuality.