Synod

The Instrumentum laboris presented today ahead of the second session of the Assembly scheduled in Rome in October proposes that anyone in a position of authority at every level in the ecclesial community should give an account of how they carry out their pastoral plans. Enhancing the role of women is among the foundations of synodality, but the Synod will not address the question of women's access to the diaconate.

On the occasion of a recent international meeting in Rome with 300 priests from every continent, Francis addresses a letter to all parish priests, urging them to “Experience the joy of being true fathers, who do not dominate others but rather bring out” their “precious possibilities”.

The first session of the Synodal Assembly ended with a vote of the synthesis report. On many issues, the latter highlights the convergences, open questions and proposals that emerged during the work in Rome. Below, we publish chapter 5 on the relationship between mission and inculturation, which is a major issue for many Churches in Asia. The typically Asian image of "taking off one's shoes" to meet others is offered to the whole world.

Superior General of the Apostolic Carmelite Congregation participates in the Synod, bringing the voice of India's 130,000 women religious. "We are seeking leadership that goes beyond the emphasis on the question of roles, to rediscover that these are services to be performed with humility". "In the face of harassment, silent suffering no longer makes sense".

As the ongoing assembly in Rome nears its conclusion on Sunday, a letter to the faithful of the Churches around the world on the continuation of the synod's journey in the coming year, with a view to the concluding session in October 2024, has been released. In the summary document (to be voted on Saturday) there will be points of agreement reached, but also open questions. "To progress in its discernment, the Church absolutely needs to listen to everyone".

Synod assembly enters final week of gathering in Rome.

In today's General Congregation, participants began reflecting on how each baptised person can proclaim the Gospel. For some, it is not a question “of rights and desires, but of the well-being of the Church.” Two digital missionaries are among the Synod participants. Others are not satisfied by “the Mass schedule online”, they want to be “engaged in dialogue”.

The president of the Focolare Movement, an Arab Christian who hails from Haifa, spoke at this tragic moment for Israel and Palestine. “I asked myself what am I doing here?" she said. “Should I not do something else to promote peace at this time?” But praying and learning to walk together even with different ideas is a sign of peace for the world too. “Jewish friends I know in Israel have called me [. . .] saying that they are worried about those who live in Gaza.” We should not stop at the horror. “We have collective images of these two peoples that do not correspond to the reality.”

Two Asians speak at the Synod, giving voice to basic communities and those who are silent

Divided into 35 small groups in the Paul VI Hall, participants are discussing the first part of the Instrumentum Laboris. The two mainland Chinese bishops concelebrated Mass with Pope Francis. Mathew Tomas, a layman from a vicariate of Arabia, told his story, explaining how young people met construction workers individually for the synod.

On the raised altar before St Peter's basilica the Mass that began the work of the Assembly together with the new cardinals. "Let us beware of the temptation of a rigid Church that arms itself against the world and looks backwards; of being a lukewarm Church, that surrenders to the fashions of the world; of being a tired Church, folded in on itself"

At the approach of the synod, Francis talked online for an hour and a half with 12 university students from India, Pakistan, Nepal, and the Indian diaspora in the Persian Gulf. He urged them to fight for their ideas, but always” extending a hand to others”. For him, “education must be free, a right” for everyone.