Germany's New Papal Nuncio Cautions Bishops "synodality can never be the sole concern of individual groups while others are left behind."

 New Papal Nuncio Addresses German Bishops

"Synodality is never the concern of individual groups alone"

Archbishop Dr. Hubertus van Megen, originally from the Netherlands, the new Apostolic Nuncio to Germany, addressed the autumn plenary assembly, Sept. 28-Oct.1, of the German Bishops' Conference in Fulda on September 28, 2026. The Vatican continues to view the Synodal Path—the dialogue process regarding the future of the Catholic Church in Germany—with critical scrutiny. Attending his first plenary assembly of the German Bishops' Conference (DBK) in Fulda, the newly appointed Apostolic Nuncio, Hubertus van Megen, age, 64, shared his perspectives on the Church's priorities moving forward.

He said: I stand before you today as the representative of the Holy See. Rome is the visible center and guarantor of the unity of the universal Church, to which the Church in Germany also belongs. This is precisely where the essence of the Catholic Church is revealed: it encompasses all peoples and cultures. As a global Church, we walk together through the challenges of our time.

In this Church, every local church possesses its own dignity and its own mission. No local church is more or less a church than another. The Spirit of God is at work everywhere and reveals itself to people in diverse expressions and traditions. The Church in Africa differs from the Church in Europe, just as it does from the Church in Latin America or Asia. None of these churches has precedence because of its size or cultural influence. All are members of the one Body of Christ.

Navigating Cultural Diversity During his opening address on Monday, Archbishop Hubertus van Megen, appointed on April 9 by Pope Leo XIV, highlighted the evolving cultural landscape within the country, noting that "the time when Germany was perceived as a largely homogeneous nation seems to be over in many respects." While the mix of cultural values and influences is frequently praised for adding vibrancy, he observed that "it also brings challenges and tensions."

Emphasizing Unity and Synodality Focusing on the Catholic Church and its global synodal process, van Megen stressed the necessity of fostering inclusion across all communities. Pointing out that the Greek term synodos translates to traveling the road together, he remarked in his greeting: "Therefore, synodality can never be the sole concern of individual groups while others are left behind."  He explained that "The Catholic Church rests on two great pillars of its visible unity: the Petrine ministry and the Eucharist. They guarantee this unity in different but complementary ways: the Pope safeguards the unity of faith and of the ecclesial communion, while the Eucharist sacramentally realizes and nourishes this unity." Archbishop van Megen cautioned that remaining anchored to the Pope and the Eucharist prevents the Church from degenerating into a "Christian-flavored NGO."

He further noted that the European Church holds no precedence over local churches in Africa or other parts of the world, emphasizing that the papacy and the Eucharist remain the core pillars of ecclesial unity.

The archbishop highlighted the importance of papal authority:

The Pope's ministry, on a universal level, is in service to this very community. When we say that the papacy and the Eucharist "guarantee" the unity of the Church, this is not to be understood in a purely organizational or mechanical sense. History shows that there can be disagreements, tensions, and even divisions within the Church. Nevertheless, we believe that Christ has given his Church enduring means by which its unity can be preserved and continually renewed.

The Pope guarantees a lasting, visible center of communion and the continuity of faith. The Eucharist guarantees lasting sacramental participation in the one Body of Christ. Together, they prevent the Church from becoming a mere federation of individual communities, or even an NGO with a Christian veneer. They, the Pope and the Eucharist, make it a worldwide communion in Christ. Henri de Lubac expressed this in a famous phrase:

"The Eucharist makes the Church, and the Church makes the Eucharist." (The Church - A Reflection. Translated and introduced by HU von Balthasar, Einsiedeln 1968, 127-142).

In short: The Petrine ministry is the visible principle of unity, the Eucharist its sacramental realization. The Petrine ministry preserves communion in faith and in ecclesial governance; the Eucharist leads this communion to its highest fulfillment in the Body and Blood of Christ.

Key Issues on the Assembly Agenda Meeting through Thursday in Fulda, the German Catholic bishops are addressing several critical ethical topics, including:

• Assisted suicide, organ donation, and surrogacy

• The opportunities and risks presented by artificial intelligence; with emphasis on Magnifica Humanitas

• Next steps for the German Church's Synodal Path

The Role of an Apostolic Nuncio An Apostolic Nuncio fulfills a dual diplomatic and pastoral role as the Pope’s representative to both a host country's local church and its government. Beyond maintaining and deepening ties between the Holy See and the national church, the nuncio manages diplomatic relations, handles church-state matters, and helps negotiate formal agreements such as concordats under international law. Archbishop Hubertus van Megen was formerly nuncio to Kenya.

Sources: https://www.dbk.de/fileadmin/redaktion/diverse_downloads/presse_2026/2026-09-28_Grusswort-Nuntius-HVV_Fulda.pdf

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