As German Synodal Assembly begins, lay Catholics express anger at Vatican (CNS)

Bishop Georg Bätzing, president of the German bishops’ conference, said he understood all who were “desperate and stunned” by the Pope’s decision not to accept the resignations of three German bishops accused of mishandling abuse allegations, as well as his decision to grant Cardinal Rainer Mari Woelki of Cologne a sabbatical, permitting him to remain in office.