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When participants gather in Rome at this fall’s Synod on Synodality to reflect how the global Catholic Church can better communicate the saving love of Jesus for all humanity, a vast continental contrast in opinions will be on prominent display. And the tension can be summed up by two opposing questions.
For three days starting August 15, participants from Africa who will take part in the upcoming Synod on Synodality assembly in October will be meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, to gain “a deep knowledge and clear understanding” of the details of the Synod.
Members of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) are expected to deliberate on the “practical experience” of the Synod on Synodality on the occasion of the annual SECAM Day.
From the full list of some 364 participants in the October 4-29 Synod on Synodality in Rome, who include Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, women and men Religious, and Laity, 67 of them are from Africa.
The Vatican published Friday the full list of participants who will take part in the upcoming Synod on Synodality assembly in October.
Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect emeritus of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, stressed that "the priesthood is unique" and warned that "no council, no synod" can "invent a female priesthood."
Archbishop Gabriel Mbilingi of Angola’s Lubango Archdiocese has underscored the value of the ongoing preparations for the Synod on Synodality and called for the embracing of its theme, which he said provides a path for the growth of the people of God.
Organizers of the Synod on Synodality on Tuesday announced a change of venue for the upcoming synodal assembly of bishops and other delegates being held in October but said that the full list of those participating in the monthlong event is still being prepared.
Having “a deep knowledge and clear understanding” of Instrumentum Laboris, the working document for the XVI Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops popularly known as the Synod on Synodality, is one of the aims of a planned seminar targeting African delegates.
The Vatican released a new document on June 20 outlining key questions for the upcoming 16th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, more commonly known as the Synod on Synodality.
In advance of a pivotal October assembly on synodality, a new Vatican document released Tuesday outlines key questions for what now promises to be a wide-ranging discussion on Pope Francis’ vision of a more inclusive, decentralized, and “listening” Church.
Catholic-Orthodox relations took a step forward this month with the publication of the first joint statement in seven years.
The solemnity of Pentecost, which is celebrated 50 days after Easter, marks the descent of the Holy Spirit. Thousands were gathered inside St. Peter’s Basilica for the Mass.
From the Philippines to Portugal, Marian shrines around the world will participate in a special day of prayer this Wednesday for the work of the Synod on Synodality.
Charismatic groups can be “a great source of renewal” among the people of God, the National Spiritual Director of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) in Zimbabwe has said.
The Vatican announced Wednesday that there will be laypeople participating as voting members in the Synod on Synodality’s October assembly, a break with past custom, which allowed laypeople to participate without the right to vote.
A committee of 22 people this week kicked off the writing process for the Synod on Synodality’s working document that will be the blueprint for discussions during the meeting of bishops in October.
The Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) has expressed “deep joy” following the appointment of the Symposium’s First Vice President to the newly established Preparatory Commission of the Synod on Synodality.
Synodality, an invitation for the people of God to journey together irrespective of their differences, which the International Theological Commission defined as “the action of the Spirit in the communion of the Body of Christ and in the missionary journey of the People of God” can facilitate the healing of Africa’s deep wounds, member of the resource team that is working to deepen synodal engagements have said.
Clericalism is not just a problem of the Clergy, members of the newly constituted Synodality Resource Team (SRT) for Africa have said, and called on the Laity to play their role in de-clericalizing the Church.