10 questions and answers about the synod’s final document

Rome Newsroom, October 27, 2024 / 7:00 am

On Saturday, Pope Francis made the unprecedented decides to accept the final document of the synod of synodality as authoritative church teaching.

The Text of 52 pages includes a theological reflection on the nature of synodality, which she sees as the fulfillment of the reforms of Vatican II, as well as proposals for how synodality can be applied to relationships, structures and processes within the Catholic Church.

The end goal is to make the Church more effective in evangelization by making it more participatory and inclusive.

Here are answers to the big questions about the Synod’s final document 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 reforms he made in 2018The final text of the synod on synodality is therefore part of its regular magisterium.

This decision marks a break from previous practice, whereby the Pope usually uses the final document of a synod as the basis for drafting his own apostolic exhortation on the subject (remember Amoris Laetitia after the 2015 synod on the family). The fact that a synod body, 27% of which consisted of non-bishops, has just produced a magisterial text will certainly give theologians and canonists much food for thought.

2. How does the document relate to Vatican II?

The document says the synod on synodality was the product of “putting into practice what the council taught about the Church as mystery and the Church as people of God.”

Therefore, the document says, the synodal process constitutes “an authentic further act of reception” of Vatican II, “reviving its prophetic power for the world today.”

3. What does the final report say about the role of women in the Church (including the so-called “deaconesses”)?

The final text says that women “continue to encounter obstacles” in living out their “charisms, callings and roles” in the Church.

The synod calls for the acceptance of women in every role currently permitted by canon law, including leadership roles in the Church.

Regarding the issue of “the access of women to diaconal ministry,” the text says that the question “remains open” and that “discernment must continue.” A separate Vatican study group is currently looking into the subject, with the final report expected in June 2025.

4. What does the text say about “decentralization?”

The document calls on episcopal conferences to play a greater role in inculturating the faith in their local context and asks for clarification on their current level of doctrinal authority. However, it emphasizes that episcopal conferences cannot override the authority of a local bishop nor “endanger the unity or catholicity of the Church.”

(Story continues below)

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

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 LGBTQ inclusion?

While it condemns 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 removal of the formula that consultative bodies have “only an advisory” voice. It calls for greater lay participation in “decision-making processes” through new synodal structures and institutions.

Church authorities, the document states, should not ignore the conclusions of consultative, participatory bodies.

7. What does the document say about “sensus fidei”?

The document describes the ‘sensus fidei’ as the ‘instinct for the truth of the Gospel’ that we receive through baptism. It is also noted that the people of God cannot err “when they manifest universal agreement in matters of faith and morals.”

Interestingly, 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 synthesis document and is found in an important Vatican document about the subject.

8. In what concrete ways could the Church change after the Synod on Synodality?

Depending on how it is implemented, the synod’s final document could have concrete implications for everything from the way bishops are selected to the way governance decisions are made in parishes, dioceses and the Vatican, with a greater emphasis on widespread consultation. It could also create new synodal bodies, such as continental assemblies and a council of Eastern Catholic leaders to advise the pope.

9. Which paragraphs received the most criticism?

More than 27% of delegates voted against further exploring the possibilities of female deacons.

Thirteen percent voted against the paragraph emphasizing the significance of bishops’ conferences, which also appears to bind a bishop to the decisions made by his conference.

Twelve percent voted against the creation of a study group that would explore whether liturgical celebrations could become “more of an expression of synodality,” including what could be a reference to lay preaching during the liturgy.

And 11% of delegates were against the proposal to revise canon law ‘from a synodal perspective’.

10. One more time: what does synodality mean?

The final document describes synodality as “a path of spiritual renewal and structural reform that enables the Church to be more participatory and missionary, so that she can walk with every man and woman and radiate the light of Christ.”

The model of synodality, the document states, is Mary because she “listens, prays, meditates, dialogues, accompanies, discerns, decides and acts.”