Pope Francis affirms that the final document of the Synod of Synodality is part of the Magisterium

Pope Francis has published a letter in which he recalls that the final document of the Synod of Synodality is part of the “Ordinary Magisterium of the Successor of Peter” and therefore asks that it be accepted.

Disseminated this November 25, the Holy Father’s letter seeks to “accompany” the final document of the Synod, approved by the Pontiff without issuing a post-synodal document at the end of the assembly, on October 26.

This text, according to Pope Francis, “collects the fruits of a path marked by the listening of the People of God and the discernment of the Pastors.”

He thus emphasizes that the final document provides an “authoritative orientation” for the life and mission of the Church and that it in turn represents “a form of exercise of the authentic magisterium of the Bishop of Rome.”

He also specifies that, although it contains new features, it corresponds to what he indicated on October 17, 2015, when he stated that synodality “is the appropriate interpretative framework to understand the hierarchical ministry.”

Although when approving the document he noted that “it is not strictly normative” and that “its application will require various mediations,” the Holy Father clarifies that this does not mean “that it does not now commit the Churches to make choices consistent with what it contains.” indicated.”

In this way, he highlights that the Churches are now called to implement, in various contexts, “the authorized indications contained in the document, through the processes of discernment and decision provided for by law and the document itself.”

In his letter he also refers to the topics entrusted to the ten study groups, and indicates that “others may be added, in view of the necessary decisions.”

He emphasizes that the conclusion of the assembly “does not put an end to the synodal process” and citing The joy of love reiterates that, although in “the Church a unity of doctrine and praxis is necessary” this does not prevent “there being different ways of interpreting some aspects of the doctrine or some consequences derived from it.”

It also emphasizes that the final document contains indications that “can already be received in local Churches”, taking into account the different contexts, “what has already been done and what remains to be done to learn and develop increasingly one’s own style.” of the missionary synodal Church.

He insists that it will be possible to proceed, “through synodal discernment and within the framework of the possibilities indicated by the final document, to the creative activation of new forms of ministeriality and missionary action, experimenting and subjecting experiences to verification.”

It also indicates that in visits at the threshold made to the Vatican, the bishops must report on the “choices made in the local Church” in relation to what is indicated in the final document, as well as “the difficulties encountered and the fruits obtained.”

Finally, remember that the task of accompanying the “implementation phase” of the synodal path is entrusted to the General Secretariat of the Synod together with the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia.