Bishop Stefan Oster says era of episcopal solo actions is over

Bishop Stefan Oster of Passau said that the era of bishops making decisions alone is over, stating that Church leadership can no longer function without extensive consultation. Speaking during a panel discussion at the University of Passau on Wednesday evening, Oster said a new bishop cannot simply use power to change everything from a predecessor.

Oster described the movement toward more participation and shared decision-making within the Catholic Church as irreversible. He noted that decisions must be prepared together and that different voices must be heard. Theologian Klara-Antonia Csiszar also identified synodality as a necessary step toward increasing co-determination within the Church.