Pope Francis made the unprecedented decision to accept the final document of the Synod of Synodality, published this Saturday, as authoritative teaching of the Church.
The 52-page text includes a theological reflection on the nature of synodality, which he says is the fulfillment of the reforms of Vatican II, as well as proposals on how to apply synodality to relationships, structures and processes within the Church. Catholic.
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The ultimate goal is to make the Church more effective in evangelization, making it more participatory and inclusive.
These are the answers to the big questions about the final document of the Synod on Synodality:
1. How did Pope Francis make this document magisterial?
Pope Francis immediately approved the final document after synod members voted on it. According to the reforms it made in 2018, the final text of the Synod on Synodality is therefore part of its ordinary teaching.
This decision is a break with previous practice, according to which the Pope used the final document of a synod as a basis for writing his own apostolic exhortation on the subject (for example, in “Amoris Laetitia”, after the Synod on the Family of 2015). The fact that a synodal body in which 27% of its members were not bishops has just produced a magisterial text will undoubtedly give theologians and canonists a lot to talk about.
2. What relationship does the document have with the Second Vatican Council?
The document says that the Synod on Synodality was the result of “putting into practice what the Council taught about the Church as a Mystery and the Church as the People of God.”
Therefore, the document says, the synodal process “constitutes an authentic subsequent act of the reception” of Vatican II, “thus reinvigorating its prophetic force for today’s world.”
3. What does the final report say about the role of women in the Church (including those called “deaconesses”)?
The final text says that women “continue to encounter obstacles” to living their “charisms, vocation and functions” in the Church.
The Synod calls for women to be accepted in any role currently permitted by canon law, including leadership roles in the Church.
Regarding the question of “women’s access to the diaconal ministry,” the text says that the question “remains open” and that “it is necessary to continue discernment.” A separate study group is currently considering that issue, with its final report expected in June 2025.
4. What does the text say about “decentralization”?
The document calls for episcopal conferences to play a greater role in the inculturation of the faith in their local context and requests clarification on their current level of doctrinal authority. However, he emphasizes that episcopal conferences cannot annul the authority of a local bishop or “put at risk either the unity or the catholicity of the Church.”
The document also calls for more plenary and provincial councils, and for the Vatican to more quickly accept the conclusions of these bodies.
5. Does the text mention the inclusion of the LGBTQ community?
Although it does condemn the exclusion of others because of “their marital status, identity or sexuality,” the text does not use the term “LGBTQ.”
6. What does the final document say about changes in Church decision-making?
The final document calls for a “synodal” reform of canon law, including the elimination of the formula that consultative bodies have a “merely advisory” vote. It calls for greater participation of the laity in “decision-making processes,” and to do so through new synodal structures and institutions.
The ecclesiastical authorities, the document states, cannot ignore the conclusions reached by the consultative and participatory bodies.
7. What does the document say about the “sensus fidei”?
The document describes the “sensus fidei” as the “instinct of truth of the Gospel” received by baptism. He also points out that the People of God cannot go wrong “when they show universal agreement on matters of faith and morals.”
Curiously, the final document does not include additional language on the need for “authentic discipleship” to maturely exercise the “sensus fidei,” which was included in last year’s summary document and is found in an important Vatican document on the topic. .
8. In what specific aspects could the Church change after the Synod on Synodality?
Depending on how it is applied, the Synod’s final document could have a concrete impact on everything from the selection of bishops to government decision-making in parishes, dioceses and the Vatican, with a greater emphasis on general consultation. It could also create new synodal bodies, such as continental assemblies and a council of Eastern Catholic leaders to advise the Pope.
9. What are the sections that had the most rejection?
More than 27% of delegates voted against continuing to explore the possibility of women deacons.
13% voted against the paragraph underscoring the importance of episcopal conferences, which also appears to bind a bishop to decisions made by his conference.
12% voted against the creation of a study group to make liturgical celebrations “more of an expression of synodality,” including what could be a reference to lay preaching during the liturgy.
And 11% of delegates opposed the proposal to review canon law “from a synodal perspective.”
10. Once again: What does synodality mean?
The final document describes synodality as “a path of spiritual renewal and structural reform that allows the Church to be more participatory and missionary, so that it can walk with every man and woman, radiating the light of Christ.”
The model of synodality, the document states, is Mary because “she listens, prays, meditates, dialogues, accompanies, discerns, decides and acts.”
Jonathan Liedl
Jonathan Liedl is a senior editor at the National Catholic Register. He studied Political Science and Arabic Studies at the University of Notre Dame and has a Master’s Degree in Catholic Studies from the University of St. Thomas. He is currently completing a Master’s Degree in Theology at Saint Paul Seminary. He lives in the Twin Cities of Minnesota.