This Saturday, Pope Francis made an unprecedented decision by accepting that the final document of the Synod on Synodality become an authoritative teaching within the Church.
The 52-page text offers a theological reflection on synodality, affirming that it is the fulfillment of the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. It also includes proposals for applying synodality to relationships, structures, and processes within the Catholic Church.
The ultimate goal is to make the Church more effective in evangelization by making it more participatory and inclusive.
Here are the answers to the main questions about the Synod on Synodality's final document:
How did Pope Francis make this document magisterial?
Pope Francis immediately approved the final document after synod members voted in its favor. According to the reforms he introduced in 2018, the final text of the Synod on Synodality is now part of his ordinary magisterium.
This decision marks a break with prior practice, where the pope typically used a synod's final document as a basis for writing his own apostolic exhortation (such as Amoris Laetitia after the 2015 Synod on the Family). The fact that a synodal body, 27% of whose members were not bishops, produced a magisterial text is certain to spark debate among theologians and canonists.
What is the link between this document and Vatican II?
The document affirms that the Synod on Synodality is the fruit of putting into practice the teachings of the Second Vatican Council on the Church as mystery and People of God. It adds that this synodal process constitutes "an additional authentic act of reception" of Vatican II, thereby strengthening its prophetic force for today's world.
What does the final report say about the role of women in the Church (including "deaconesses")?
The final text emphasizes that women "continue to encounter obstacles" in the implementation of their "charisms, vocations, and roles" in the Church. It calls for women to be accepted in all roles permitted by canon law, including positions of responsibility within the Church.
Regarding women's access to the diaconal ministry, the text specifies that the question "remains open" and that "discernment must continue." A Vatican study group is currently reflecting on this topic, with a final report expected by June 2025.
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 asks for clarification on their current doctrinal authority. However, it insists that bishops' conferences cannot exceed the authority of a local bishop nor risk "the unity or catholicity of the Church."
The text also encourages more plenary and provincial councils and wishes for the Vatican to accept the conclusions of these bodies more quickly.
Does the text mention the inclusion of LGBTQ people?
While it condemns the exclusion of others due to their "marital situation, identity, or sexuality," the text does not use the term "LGBTQ."
What does the final document say about changes in decision-making in the Church?
The final document calls for a synodal reform of canon law, notably by removing the formula stating that consultative bodies have only a "purely consultative" role. It encourages greater participation of the laity in "decision-making processes" through new synodal structures.
Ecclesiastical authorities, the text specifies, must not ignore the conclusions of consultative and participatory bodies.
What does the document say about the "sensus fidei"?
The document describes the "sensus fidei" as "the instinct for the truth of the Gospel" received through baptism. It also emphasizes that the People of God cannot err "when they show universal agreement in matters of faith and morals."
Interestingly, the final text contains no additional language on the need for an "authentic life of discipleship" to exercise the sensus fidei in a mature way, unlike last year's synthesis document.
What concrete changes might the Church see after the Synod on Synodality?
Depending on its implementation, the synod's final document could concretely affect aspects such as how bishops are chosen, decision-making in parishes, dioceses, and the Vatican, with a greater emphasis on consultation. It could also create new synodal bodies, such as continental assemblies and a council of leaders of the Eastern Catholic Churches to advise the pope.
Which paragraphs faced the most resistance?
More than 27% of delegates voted against continuing to explore the possibility of women deacons.
13% voted against the paragraph emphasizing the importance of episcopal conferences, which also seems to bind a bishop to decisions made by his conference.
12% voted against the creation of a study group aimed at making liturgical celebrations "more expressive of synodality," with a possible reference to lay preaching during the liturgy.
Finally, 11% of delegates voted against the proposal to revise canon law "from a synodal perspective."
Once again: what does synodality mean?
The final document describes synodality as "a path of spiritual renewal and structural reform enabling the Church to be more participatory and missionary, so that it can journey with every man and woman, radiating the light of Christ."
The model of synodality, according to the document, is the Virgin Mary, because she "listens, prays, meditates, dialogues, accompanies, discerns, decides, and acts."
This article was originally published in English by Catholic World Report (Article Link). It is republished and translated with the author's permission.