Synodal Way

It is also no longer grounds for dismissal if an employee of the Roman Catholic church remarries or marries a same-sex partner.

Due to the decisions taken by the Synodal Way, Bishop Franz-Josef Bode, deputy chairman of the German bishops' conference, "invited Catholics in his diocese to contact parishes for liturgical blessings of their same-sex partnerships and other relationships regarded as morally illicit in the Catholic Church".

Another common criticism concerns the legitimacy of the organization as the Synodal Way is not using an established organisational form sanctioned by canon law.

[35] On 28 May 2020 Auxiliary Bishop Dominik Schwaderlapp [de], of the Archdiocese of Cologne resigned from his position in the Synodal Forum "Life in Successful Relationships" in protest to the forum's view on sexual morality which he claimed contradicted the Catholic Church's view as stated in the encyclical Humanae vitae.

Points criticized included deviation from the agreed procedures, leaving the participants no room for comment prior to the conference, and perceived one-sided biblical theology of proposals.

He said they were making “concessions” under “very strong cultural and media pressure.” It is striking, however, that the agenda of a limited group of theologians from a few decades ago has suddenly become the majority proposal of the German episcopate."

"It is difficult to avoid the impression that the extremely serious matter of the abuse cases has been exploited to push through other ideas not directly related to it.” These are "proposals that openly contradict the teaching affirmed by all the popes since the Second Council of the Vatican.

[48] During a general audience held on 25 November 2020, Pope Francis commented on people gathering in "a Synodal path" and warned that they were lacking the Holy Spirit.

[49] On 21 July 2022, the Holy See released an announcement stating that "The 'Synodal Way' in Germany does not have the power to compel bishops and the faithful to adopt new forms of governance and new orientations of doctrine and morals".