Confidential documents from the Synod on Synodality at the Vatican have been discovered on an unsecured cloud server.
These documents, including lists of synod participants, their affiliations with working groups, and the concluding reports from the first phase of synod discussions, have been accessible online since the assembly began this month.
The synod's working groups, composed of lay, religious, and clerical delegates, were asked about their experiences of the synod's local phases, which began with worldwide consultations in parishes and dioceses. Reports from these groups were submitted at the end of the first week of discussions.
The Pillar also notes that the lists of members for the small discussion groups have not been published, despite attention from Vatican journalists. Paolo Ruffini, president of the synod's information commission, stated he does not have access to this information and indicated he is not willing to provide it to the media.
A particularly concerning aspect of this revelation pertains to the security of synodal data. This sensitive information, stored on an unsecured server, is accessible to anyone with the web address, without requiring a password or identification.
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Although the working group reports were reviewed by The Pillar, the outlet chose not to publicly publish the members' names, in accordance with Pope Francis's request to maintain a certain restraint in media coverage of the synodal process.
This discovery raises fundamental questions about the synod's approach to confidentiality and information security. While the Pope has emphasized the need to maintain the confidentiality of deliberations, the storage of synodal data on an unsecured server appears to contradict this objective.
This matter could have significant implications for the synod meeting in October 2024, as the working group reports will form the basis of the interim report (*relatio*) that will shape the upcoming discussions. The question of information security should be a central concern as the synod progresses.