Raymond Arroyo: He is the auxiliary bishop of Astana, Kazakhstan, and he is well known for his defense of traditional Church teaching. He recently appealed to the Pope over the decision to allow the laity voting rights at a Synod of Bishops. Joining me now is Bishop Athanasius Schneider. Your Excellency, thank you for being here. You recently gave an interview in Rome to journalist Diane Montagna, in which you asked Pope Francis to rescind the new norms giving equal voting rights to bishops and laity at the October Synod of Bishops. Why are you so concerned about this? Isn’t this Synod about listening to the people?
Bishop Athanasius Schneider: It is simply against the hierarchical structure of the Church. Giving equal voting rights to laity and the hierarchy is confusing. Putting the laity on the same level during voting has never happened in the history of the Church. This is a typical Protestant invention by Martin Luther and other reformers, who abolished the distinction between the ministerial priesthood, the shepherds of the Church, and the laity, the flock. These voting rights clearly undermine the divine structure of the Church. It is therefore the duty of every bishop, especially Cardinals, to raise their voice and ask the Pope to rescind them.
Raymond Arroyo: Your Excellency, you have referred to this decision as a radical novelty. Why do you think it was made? What is at play here?
Bishop Athanasius Schneider: Yes, it is evident. This is a Protestant method. As I said, Martin Luther and the other Protestants introduced synodal meetings with equal voting rights. Those who introduced the same method in the upcoming October Synod are evidently seeking to Protestantize the Catholic Church even further.
Raymond Arroyo: These new norms were announced in April by Synod Secretary General Cardinal Mario Grech and General Rapporteur Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich. Part of this is also the decision to prioritize women and young people among the laity, who make up about 25 percent of the vote at the Synod. Doesn’t this undermine the Synod of Bishops as traditionally understood? How radical a departure are these norms from past practice?
Bishop Athanasius Schneider: This method is clearly worldly, not of the Church of God. We can consult lay people depending on their qualities, proven faith, and knowledge, but not give them voting rights. It is against the divine structure of the Church. Even if these are good, qualified lay people, including women and younger people with spiritual qualities, this must be proven. Simply taking a percentage of women and young people is a worldly, parliamentary-style method, not according to Catholic tradition.
Raymond Arroyo: You have spoken in interviews about Pope Paul VI’s vision of a Synod. How will the October Synod differ from the late Pope’s vision and whatever synodality is?
Bishop Athanasius Schneider: It differs greatly. Paul VI, in his statements on the Synod of Bishops from 1971, instituted the Synod to guide bishops in teaching the flock. He reminded them to teach clearly, not ambiguously, and to transmit the integrity of the apostles’ tradition and the immutable faith of the Catholic Church. He added that the Church, by remaining faithful to tradition, will never grow old but will always be young. The October Synod deviates from this.
Raymond Arroyo: Your Excellency, when you ask for these norms to be rescinded, what exactly are you requesting Pope Francis to do? And what about the College of Cardinals? Do they have the power to return this Synod to a traditional Synod of Bishops?
Bishop Athanasius Schneider: I am asking the Pope to rescind the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops’ norm granting equal voting rights to lay people. This is necessary. The Cardinals have no power over the Pope because the Church has a monarchical, not conciliar, structure. The Cardinals are the closest advisors to the Pope. Their task is to respectfully remind him to abolish these norms, which seriously undermine the divine structure of the Church.
Raymond Arroyo: Are other bishops joining you in this? Have they added their voices to your plea? It seems clear that by adjusting who can vote and selectively choosing people, the agenda is practically set. Are other bishops concerned as you are?
Bishop Athanasius Schneider: Yes, there are bishops who are concerned, but so far I have not known any to publicly raise their voices. The Cardinals, with more authority and responsibility, must respectfully remind the Pope of his duty to maintain clarity in the structure of the Church. The Church exists to resolve doubts in doctrine, not to create new doubts.
Raymond Arroyo: We will leave it there. Bishop Athanasius Schneider, thank you for being here. His new book, The Catholic Mass: Steps to Restore the Centrality of God in the Liturgy, is available online and in bookstores everywhere. Thank you, Your Excellency.
Bishop Athanasius Schneider: You are welcome.