the shifting shape of things to come....

the shifting shape of things to come....

What will the Catholic Church look like in a few years time if bergoglio is allowed free rein to continue implementing the full "spirit" of Vatican II....

It seems that bergoglio and his fellow 1960s radicals among the leadership of the Catholic Church intend to follow the lead of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKG -- Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland)....

... a loose federal model... a governing council... an annual synod... no pope...

... the Vatican can become a nice big museum... a tourist destination... nice frescoes... nice gardens... nice old architecture... maybe add some amusement rides in St. Peter's Square... good place for a rock concert... fireworks every night like at Disney World... maybe a laser light show...

=====

"Evangelical Church in Germany"

LINK

Associations:
- World Council of Churches
- Community of Protestant Churches in Europe

The Evangelical Church in Germany (German: Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland, abbreviated EKD) is a federation of twenty Lutheran, United Protestant (Prussian Union) and Reformed (Calvinist) Protestant regional church bodies in Germany. The EKD is not a church in a theological understanding, because of its denominational differences. However, the member churches (Gliedkirchen) share full pulpit and altar fellowship.

The member churches of the EKD are independent, with their own theological and formal organisation.

Literally, evangelisch means "of the Gospel", denoting a Protestant Reformation emphasis on sola scriptura, "by scripture alone".

It was realised that one mainstream Protestant church for all of Germany was impossible and that any union would need a federal model.

[ INTERESTING HISTORICAL NOTE: In July 1933, the German Evangelical Church (Deutsche Evangelische Kirche, DEK) was formed under the influence of the German Christians. The National Socialists had much influence over the decisions of the first National Synod... ]

Since 1973, when many Protestant churches in Europe, including the EKD members, concluded the Leuenberg Agreement, also the then 21 EKD members[8] introduced full communion for their parishioners and ministry among each other.

Ordination of women is practised in all 20 member churches with many women having been ordained in recent years. There are also several female bishops. [The German languager version also mentions homosexual priests.] Margot Käßmann, former Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover and Chairperson of the Council of the EKD from 2009 until February 2010, was the first woman to head the EKD.[9] Blessing of same-sex unions is practised in 11 member churches.[10]

The structure of the EKD is based on federal principles. Each regional church is responsible for Christian life in its own area while each regional church has its own special characteristics and retains its independence. The EKD carries out joint tasks with which its members have entrusted it.

The EKD Council is the representative and governing body of the Evangelical Church in Germany. The Council of the EKD has 15 members jointly elected by the Synod and Church Conference who serve terms of six years.[15]

The Synod is the legislature of the EKD. It has 126 members - 106 elected by Landeskirchen synods and 20 appointed by the Council.[14] These 20 are appointed for their importance in the life of the Church and its agencies. Members serve six year terms and the synod meets annually.