The Synodal Path in Germany (2019-2023) and the global Synod of Bishops (2021-2024) took place almost at the same time, with the German synodal process starting a little earlier. Many of the topics discussed in Germany also emerged in the final document of the 16th Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. This paper focuses on issues of church polity, such as co-responsibility and decision-making, diocesan councils, election of bishops, accountability and evaluation of diocesan bishops as well as ministries for lay people, especially for women. Adopting a canon law perspective, the paper applies a comparative method that contrasts the reform proposals designed in Germany with the synodal document adopted at the level of global Catholicism. It concludes that the German initiatives are more concrete and incisive, but less compatible with canon law. Notwithstanding this, it can be argued that transformations at local level proceed faster than at global level.