On the last day of the current session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, the “Comprehensive Report” was released. In anticipation of its second session in 2024, the Assembly offers reflections and proposals on a number of themes, such as: the role of women and laity, the episcopal ministry, the priesthood and diaconate, the importance of the poor and immigrants, the digital sphere evangelization, ecumenism and crime.
(Vatican News) Women and laity, the priesthood and diaconate, the duties and teaching of the Church, peace and climate, new languages and renewed structures, old and new evangelization, including the digital sphere, listening to all, and Dive into everything, including the most controversial issues. These points were elaborated in the “Comprehensive Report” adopted and published by the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the evening of October 28. After four weeks of meetings, the first session of this conference is finally coming to an end.
The 40-page “Comprehensive Report” is the result of the work of the conference. This conference is being held at a time when war is raging around the world and “countless victims endure absurd and tragic conditions”. At the same time, the voices of many people “thrown into poverty, forced to migrate, exposed to violence or enduring the devastating consequences of climate change” echoed among conference attendees. The Comprehensive Report incorporates all this and outlines a work path for the second session to be held in 2024.
listen to all
The Integrated Report is divided into three parts. Like the Letter to the People of God, the Assembly reiterates the need to “listen to and accompany all people, including those who have been violated and harmed within the Church”, towards “reconciliation and justice”. This “requires concrete acts of repentance that address the structural conditions that allow such violations to occur”.
A church that walks together
Working together is the first step. Participants in the General Assembly said that although the Synod of Bishops has come to an end, “it is still unfamiliar to many people of God”, and this “leads some people to confusion and worry”. For example, some are concerned about moving away from church tradition, while others are concerned about devaluing the church’s hierarchy.
On the contrary, walking together is a way of life in the Church that promotes the qualities of diversity and promotes the active participation of everyone. This starts with the priests and bishops, the report states: “A collaborative Church will not weaken their voices. We need to understand the reasons why some of them resist the spirit of solidarity.”
Focus on disadvantaged groups
The Report talks at length about disadvantaged groups. They asked the church to understand “love” as “respect, acceptance and recognition”. The church’s emphasis on the disadvantaged and discarded belongs to the “theological category.” The disadvantaged groups listed in the “Report” include: immigrants, the poor, victims of violence, victims of assault, victims of racial discrimination and trafficking, addicted people, minorities, abandoned elderly people, and exploited workers. The weakest among the weak are the fetuses in the belly and their mothers. They need someone to constantly stand up and speak out for them.
Catholic Eastern rite believers
Speaking of immigration flows, the Assembly focused on Eastern Europe and the recent conflicts that have caused the emigration of so many Eastern Catholics. The Latin Catholic Church in these places should “help expatriate Eastern believers maintain their identity in the name of fellow believers” and not suffer “the process of assimilation”.
Christians’ journey towards unity
Regarding the ecumenical movement, participants spoke of “the process of confession” and the “healing of memory”. They cited what the Pope has called an “ecumenical movement of blood,” in which Christians from different denominations sacrificed their lives for their faith in Christ. The General Assembly recommended the compilation of a list of martyrs from all Christian denominations.
In addition, the “Report” also emphasizes that “cooperation among Christians” is a resource that is beneficial to “healing the culture of hatred, division and war that pit different ethnic groups, nations and countries against each other.” The Assembly did not forget the so-called problem of mixed marriages, calling them opportunities for “mutual evangelization.”
Lay people and families
“Laity men and women, those who lead a consecrated life and those who receive the sacrament of Holy Orders, have equal dignity”. The Comprehensive Report vigorously reiterates this point, noting that “the presence and activity of laity in services within Christian communities is increasing” and that they make an “indispensable” contribution to the missionary mission of the Church. .
Regarding the situation of women, the conference stated that “society is rife with sexual violence, economic inequality and the tendency to objectify women”. In this context, women should be assisted in seeking justice, “accompanying them and promoting women’s rights”.
Several women attending the synod “expressed their sincere gratitude for the work of priests and bishops, but they also spoke of the harm done to the Church”. “The mentality of clerical supremacy, machismo and the inappropriate use of power continue to damage the face of the Church and undermine communion.” This requires “deep spiritual conversion and structural change”, as well as dialogue between men and women.
female diaconate
Regarding the issue of women receiving the diaconate, the opinions of the participants were different: some believed that this step was “unacceptable” and “out of touch with the church’s sacred tradition”; others believed that this might restore the original practice of the church; Others believe that this is an “appropriate and necessary response” in the face of “the signs of the times” and will help “renew the vitality and vitality within the church.”
The Synod participants called for the continuation of “theological and pastoral research on the ordination of women”, making good use of the results of the work of the commissions established by the Pope, as well as the theological, historical and exegetical work that has been done so far Research. “If feasible, the results should be submitted at the next session of the General Assembly,” the “Report” reads.
Sexism
At the same time, the Assembly stressed the urgent need “to ensure the participation of women in decision-making processes and leadership positions in pastoral and ecclesial ministry”. The Code of Canon Law also needs to be adjusted.
Furthermore, issues of job discrimination and pay inequality must also be addressed. Participants bluntly condemned in the “Report” that “women who live a consecrated life are often treated as cheap labor” in the church. On the contrary, the door needs to be opened widely for women to study theology and receive training. In terms of the wording of liturgical texts and church documents, it is necessary to improve their inclusiveness.
Deacon and Priestly Formation
Deacons are “called to serve the People of God, to care deeply for people, to receive and listen to all people”. For this, the General Assembly expresses its gratitude to them. The danger, however, is always a mentality of clergy supremacy and “the priesthood losing its original character”. These problems must be combated “from the earliest stages of formation” through “real contact” with the People of God and those in need.
Along these lines, the Assembly also demanded that seminaries and other processes for the formation of candidates should be closely linked to the daily life of the community in order to avoid “the dangers of formalism and ideology”.
Priestly celibacy
When it comes to the issue of priestly celibacy, the “Report” collected different opinions during the conference. “All appreciate the prophetic value and Christlike witness of priestly celibacy,” the report reads. However, some ask whether such “discipline is necessary within the Latin Church.” requirements”, especially where the church and cultural environment make it difficult to put this into practice. This is not a new issue and needs further discussion.
The role of the bishop
The Report also records the General Assembly’s extensive reflections on the role of bishops. Bishops are called to “communal responsibility”, that is, to involve others within the diocese and the priesthood, in order to relieve “excessive administrative and judicial responsibilities”. Excessive responsibilities hinder the advancement of missionary work.
In addition, bishops “do not always find human and spiritual support”. “The pain of a certain sense of loneliness is not a rare experience.”
sincere listening
Some “feel marginalized or excluded from the Church because of their marital situation, identity and sexual orientation” and they “demand to be heard and accompanied and for their dignity to be protected”. To this end, the conference once again invites everyone to listen “sincerely”. These people long to return to the church family and be “heard and respected, free from the fear of judgment.” The Assembly reiterated that “Christians cannot lack respect for anyone”.
Culture in the digital realm
The Integrated Report concludes with a talk about the digital realm. The conference encouraged “access to all spaces where people seek meaning and love, including mobile and tablet devices” and engaging with their current culture, while also taking into account that the Internet “can also cause harm and trauma, for example through bullying, misinformation, sexual Exploitation and addiction”. Therefore, there is an urgent need to consider “how the Christian community can support families to ensure that cyberspace is not only safe but also spiritually vibrant”.
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2023-10-29 11:13:24
