Vatican Synod: Next month, a big event will take place at the Vatican. It’s a special meeting of influential Catholic leaders and regular churchgoers from all over the world. This meeting is called a “synod,” everyone should collaborate and share their ideas. Some things on the list are hard to talk about, like the role of women in the church and how LGBTQ people fit in.
Imagine you had to work on a project with a group of people, but some of them had very different ideas than others. In a way, this is how the U.S. is acting at this critical meeting. In the United States, two essential groups of church leaders don’t always agree with each other.
Pope Francis picked a group that wanted the church to be more open and friendly to everyone. They want to hear ideas from everyone, including women and people who don’t see themselves as straight. Another group with a stronger view was also chosen by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. They need to know what Pope Francis wants to change about everything.
Natalia Imperatori-Lee, a professor at Manhattan College, is afraid that this meeting might make U.S. Catholics even more divided instead of bringing them closer together. She says that church members should be willing to listen and make changes, but that might not be so easy.
Some leaders of churches in the United States don’t like Pope Francis. He used to say that some of them were stuck in the past and cared more about their own ideas than the lessons of the church.
But in the U.S., leaders of conservative Catholic groups don’t agree. They think talking about women’s roles and LGBTQ people’s rights could cause a lot of trouble for the church. One priest called the meeting a “Pandora’s box,” which could lead to significant changes that some people don’t want.
A few weeks will pass during the meeting. It happened after two years of church leaders and regular churchgoers worldwide talking about it. In 2024, there will be another part of the meeting where everyone chooses what to do with what they’ve discussed. He will have time to consider what they say.
Many conservative Catholics worry about many things, not just because of the items on the list but also because, this time, regular people, including women, can vote along with the essential church leaders. Some people think that because it’s new, it’s crucial.
Three American men were chosen by Pope Francis to be cardinals. It’s something essential. Some of these leaders, like Archbishop Blase Cupich and Archbishop Wilton Gregory, think women should have more roles in the church and LGBTQ Catholics should feel more welcome.
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One of them is Robert McElroy, who is a bishop. He thinks that women should have more critical jobs in the church, like speaking and teaching. He also thinks the church should be more open to LGBTQ+ people because some of them feel like the church doesn’t accept them.
But only some people agree with these ideas. Some U.S. Catholics who are very strict think it’s wrong to talk about these things. They fear it will change the church in ways they don’t like. Worse, one priest said that Cardinal McElroy may be going against what the church teaches.
So, this big meeting at the Vatican is turning into a big discussion about the future of the Catholic Church. Some people want the church to change in ways that make it more welcoming to everyone, while others worry that these changes might go too far.
People in the Catholic Church have different ideas, and agreeing on something won’t be easy as the council approaches. But Pope Francis and others think it’s essential to have hard conversations and listen to different points of view.
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Our Reader’s Queries
What is the Synod process in the Vatican?
The synodal process was kickstarted by Pope Francis on October 10, 2021 at the Vatican. From October 2021 to April 2022, the diocesan phase took place. In England and Wales, the diocesan phase occurred from November 2021 to March 2022.
What does Pope Francis say about the Synod?
Without the Spirit, there can be no synod, as emphasized by the speaker. He stressed the importance of everyone’s involvement, as participation is essential for those who have been baptized. Baptism serves as our ‘identity card,’ and his invitation for all to take part extends to those on the outskirts.
What is the point of the Synod?
A “synod” is a spiritual quest guided by the Holy Spirit. In the Synod on Synodality, the whole Church is tasked with recognizing the Spirit’s presence within and beyond the Body of Christ. This helps us stay true to our mission of spreading the gospel in the world.
What is the date of the Synod of Bishops in 2023?
On the evening of Saturday, October 28, 2023, the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops approved the Synthesis Report listed below.