Synod Session 2, Part 3: The Session Begins

The Second Session of the Synod on Synodality Begins with a Retreat and Penitential Liturgy and the Reports from the Study Groups

Just like the first session of the Synod last year, this year’s meeting began with a two-day retreat. The retreat concluded with a special penitential liturgy on October 1, during which seven cardinals read petitions for forgiveness that Pope Francis had written himself. He stated, “How can we be a synodal Church without reconciliation?” and that the church must “restore trust in the Church, a trust shattered by our mistakes and sins, and begin to heal the wounds.” The petitions included areas such as sexual abuse and its concealment, support for peace, respect for life, unequal treatment of women, concern for the poor, using Church teaching as weapons to hurl at others, and recognizing the dignity and role of every baptized person in the Church.

On the first regular day of the Synod, the preliminary reports of the study groups were presented to the synod assembly through both videos and written documents. How these reports and the more controversial subjects that some of them cover will enter into the discussions of the small groups and any decisions of the whole synod is an area to be watched as the Synod progresses. But how much these issues will override the focus of the synod on Synodality itself is yet to be seen.

The most anticipated report from the study groups was the one from the group charged with recommendations regarding the status of women in the ministerial work of the Church, including the possibility of women deacons.

A couple of things seem apparent:

• The report of the study group charged with the issue of women deacons showed agreement with Pope Francis that the idea is not yet mature enough for a decision, but described various pathways that they are studying. These include developing a better understanding of what “ordained ministry” covers, seeking to define “ecclesial functions and ministries that do not require the Sacrament of Holy Orders.” They then go on to reference the historic role of women in the Church who “have exercised genuine authority and power in support of the church’s mission." The report specifically cites Hildegard of Bingen, Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila, Elizabeth Ann Seton, Dorothy Day, and others.
• In the days leading up to this Synod session, various groups supporting these issues gathered in Rome to make their opinions known to anyone who will listen.

Two themes are clear from Preparatory Document and the recent statements of Pope Francis:

• Any decisions recommended by the Synod must arise from a synodal process.
• There is often a need to accommodate the cultural and geographical differences existing in the worldwide church.

How the Synod will be able to continue to develop the synodal decision-making process and whether they will attempt to apply it to some of the complex issues of the study groups will be something to watch over the coming month. Whether they will even attempt to accomplish any of that in just a month is an open question.

Next Time: The general sessions and the synodal process for the 10-member table groups
Click here to start from part 1 of our coverage of the second Synod session.

Want to learn more? Check out our series on the Synod on Synodality, from the first session, to our parish listening sessions, to today!