Synod on Synodality 2023: The Key Discussions and Decisions

Credit: Daniel Ibáñez

The news, however, is that there will be no new continental stages, as previously thought. The road map that is emerging does not provide for further meetings of continents and documents, and this perhaps helps the General Secretariat of the Synod, which risks finding new documents with new dubia given the next leg of the Synod, which promises to be heated.

Spot the Differences

The 1,251 proposed amendments to the 40-page text essentially meant a call for a complete rewrite from the Synod Fathers. From the first to the final draft, many terms were revised. The reference to LGBTQ vanished, initially replaced by "sexual identity," and eventually by "gender identity" as a compromise.

Also scrapped was the suggestion for accountability of pontifical representatives by local Bishops, which could have significantly altered roles, placing the Pope under bishops' oversight. Instead, the text mentions renewing the procedures for Bishop selection with greater engagement and listening—a practice already in place, albeit with varying emphasis depending on the Apostolic Nuncios and their operations.

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The suggestion for a Synod Council to assist the Pope in Church governance also disappeared, supplanted by a proposal to reform the Council of Cardinals synodally. Likely, someone observed the redundancy in adding structures atop existing ones.

Ecumenism and Mission

The stress on ecumenical dialogue remains unchanged, though not without differing opinions. The idea of a new way to exercise the Petrine ministry, previously touched upon by St. John Paul II, continues to hold a place in the discourse.

Archbishop Gintaras Grušas' homily on October 18, commemorating St. Luke, was well-received during the Synod.

Credit: Daniel Ibáñez

Archbishop Grušas, head of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences, stressed: "While discussing necessary processes, structures, and institutions for a missionary Synodal Church, we must ensure they aid the mission of spreading the Good News to those in need of salvation. Synodality, including its structures and gatherings, must serve the Church's evangelization mission, and not become an end unto itself."

This sentiment about not making synodality an end in itself was a recurring thread in discussions both outside and inside the Synod hall. How do we harmonize Bishops’ authority with synodality? How do we find a balance between listening and teaching, mercy and doctrine?

Andrea Gagliarducci is an Italian journalist for Catholic News Agency and Vatican analyst for ACI Stampa. He is a contributor to the National Catholic Register.