The AP Interview: Pope warns of elitist German synod process

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis says there’s a risk that what could be a trailblazing reform process in the German church could become “ideological.”  Francis, in an interview with the AP at the Vatican on Tuesday, was asked about Germany, where Catholic bishops and representatives of an influential lay organization are engaged in a process that is addressing calls to allow church blessings for same-sex couples, married priests and female deacons. In the interview, the pope said that while dialogue is good, the process in the German church has been led by the “elite” because it doesn’t involve “all the people of God.” Francis says the goal must always be unity. German church leaders have insisted the process won’t trigger a schism.