Synod Requires Confidentiality according to the Vatican Rules and Participants Receive New Book by Pope Francis - VIDEO
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The approximately 450 participants in the World Synod of Bishops in Rome are called upon to maintain secrecy about the meeting. “Confidentiality and discretion” applies to one’s own speeches and also to the statements of others, this can be read in the rules of procedure for the Synod of Bishops announced. This should enable everyone to express their own thoughts freely. In addition, the seriousness of joint decision-making must be ensured.
The duty of discretion remains in force until the end of the Synodal Assembly and beyond. Late on Wednesday afternoon, Pope Francis addressed the media directly in his opening address at the start of the General Assembly. The synod is all about listening, he said. This requires a “certain abstinence from public speaking,” even if this is difficult for journalists to accept.
The Synod examined Module A (see full Vatican text below)In the second briefing on the work of the Assembly, the president of the Information Commission illustrated the issues addressed between yesterday and today in the smaller circles and in the interventions in the Chamber. Among these: the revision of the structures of the Church, abuse, dialogue interreligious, the “option” for the poor. "The importance of stripping ourselves of everything that does not conform to the Gospel is underlined"
English starts at the 4:10 Mark on the Video Below:
The training "of everyone", starting from the seminaries, then of priests, lay people, catechists; the role of women, of ordained and non-ordained ministries; the centrality of the Eucharist; the importance of the poor "as an option for the Church". And again, the tragedies of migration, of abuse, of Christians living in conditions of persecution and suffering. Starting with the Ukrainians to whom applause was also dedicated in the Paul VI Hall. These are the themes on which the work is focused - between yesterday afternoon and this morning - of the 351 members of the General Assembly of the Synod on synodality, divided into 35 Minor Circles.
In the Vatican Press Office, the president of the Information Commission, Paolo Ruffini, prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, said at the Synod, the Church in "pause". Ruffini: stopping and listening to each other, a challenge that must be told First briefing by the president of the Information Commission of the synodal assembly. The 35 Minor Clubs are starting today: “A lot of freedom and a climate of peaceful sharing”:
18 speaker reports and 22 individual interventions
Yesterday afternoon, Ruffini explained, the meeting continued in the Minor Circles which in the evening "concluded the first part of their discussion". This morning's session, in which Pope Francis was present, was divided into two parts: the first with 18 reports from the speakers (the so-called "rapporteurs") of the different groups at the assembly; a second moment with 22 single interventions. Three minutes each is the time available to everyone in this phase "a little more compressed than the subsequent modules where the duration of each intervention will be 4 minutes". Today, then, every fourth speech there was a pause of silence and prayer.
In the afternoon the work continues with the third General Congregation. And again this afternoon, Ruffini announced, each of the members will be given a book published by LEV (in Italian but with translations into English and Spanish) which collects two interventions: one by the Pope and one by the then Cardinal Bergoglio on the themes of sanctity and corruption, with also an unpublished (the introduction).
A Church of "Saints, not worldly", two reflections by the Pope
A Church of "Saints, not worldly", two reflections by Pope Francis (and from when he was still a Cardinal) were given the members of the Synod a volume which comes out today by the Vatican Publishing House and collects two of his interventions, an article from '91 "Corruption and sin"...
Sheila Pires: There is diversity and a desire to walk together
The different Circles will then come together again in a "very synodal" atmosphere - as Sheila Pires, secretary of the Information Commission, stated at the briefing: "People are starting to get to know each other... We are really walking together". An atmosphere, above all, of "joy" even if, naturally, "there is also no shortage of tension". The most interesting aspect, highlighted the young South African, is the fact that in each group there are people from different continents: "For example, in my group there are people who come from Asia, Africa, South America North and from Europe. There is diversity, there is a fraternal spirit, there is the desire to walk together."
Pires, like Ruffini, also listed to the reporters some of the themes that emerged in these last two sessions, underlining in particular the reflection on the "Church, as a family that welcomes everyone". “This – he said – was one of the recurring themes”. Then, also ecumenism and interreligious dialogue, as well as the recognition of young people and the importance of women's participation. In this regard, this morning the Congregation was opened by a nun: "We try to be as inclusive as possible", she underlined. Everything fits into this "process" in which the "priority is listening", as the Pope said at the opening of the proceedings. Listening but also "learning to listen" are the guidelines of these initial days of the Synod on synodality, interspersed with various moments of prayer: pauses - said Sheila - which help in reflection and discernment.
And also to strengthen the "bonds of friendship", echoed Ruffini: "There are friendships born in the clubs, we met and we dedicated ourselves to trying to understand what the Church needs". “It was said that there certainly have been and always are difficulties but that many barriers will fall because the point of reference will be the suffering flesh of Christ,” she added.
Even more in detail, the prefect of Communications explained that in one Circle we focused on the theme of "a review of the structures of the Church such as the Code of Canon Law, the dimension of the Curia and, again, training". He also focuses on the theme of the East-West relationship, quoting John Paul II and his historic phrase about the Church that must breathe with "two lungs". As for the phenomenon of migration, the need for the accompaniment of migrants and the service of the bishop as pastor, "fundamental in this accompaniment", was reiterated. While on the role of women the importance of promoting the female figure in the Church and of her active participation in the various processes has been relaunched. The same concern was also extended to young people and the poor, for whom he was urged to overcome certain "slownesses".
"Repair the Church"
Among the various interventions, there is also a quote from the Crucifix of San Damiano, a copy of which is located in the Atrium of the Paul VI Hall. “The theme of repairing the Church emerged. What repairs is saying: here I am, I am at service. Those who put themselves at service repair the Church, serve the diagnosis and prognosis and read the signs of the times with a pure heart", explained Ruffini.
Furthermore, "the importance of stripping ourselves of everything that does not resemble Christ, as a Church and as believers" and of everything that "does not conform to the Gospel" was underlined. Therefore, "among the critical points" was highlighted the risk of "a hoarding of power instead of the need to live the service". The members of the Synod agreed in stating that "synodality is part of the DNA of the Church" and the whole assembly addressed a thought "to those who were unable to participate in the Synod, because they were persecuted or for serious reasons of crisis in the world".
Thinking about Ukraine
Above all, thoughts went to the "Church that suffers" in Ukraine: "A nod was made that sparked applause", said Ruffini, explaining that this was a way to "feel in communion" with "the people at war and with the Ukrainian Christians” who suffer continuous suffering.
Another round of applause - but for different reasons - was dedicated to Sister Letizia Salazar who is celebrating her birthday today, and to Archbishop Charles Scicluna, for the anniversary of her episcopal ordination. Gestures, these too, which restore the climate of "familiarity" that is being created in the assembly.
The interview with Cardinal Müller
Several questions were asked to the prefect during the briefing, more than one on the participation of Cardinal Gherard Ludwig Müller, prefect emeritus of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, in an American television program yesterday to talk about the synod work. According to some journalists, the interview would conflict with the Pope's indication to the members of the Synod to observe a "fast of public speech" in recent weeks. Someone also asked if there are even "punishments" planned. Ruffini replied with a joke: “From who, from me?”, then explained that there is “discernment in silence. There is no policeman who punishes you... It is an assembly of brothers and sisters who have given themselves a period of suspension. There is a personal discernment asked by the Pope from the members and also from you in explaining what we are talking about". And this “discernment is left to each person”.
Edited and Translated from the Italian Source: Salvatore Cernuzio – Vatican News
Participants in the Synod General Assembly are in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall this week are examining and discussing "Module A", of which we offer the full text here below.For a Synodal Church. An integral experience
The characteristic signs of a Synodal Church and conversation in the Spirit
In the two years since the opening of the synodal process 2021-2024 (10 October 2021), the People of God across the world have been presented with the basic, guiding question: “How does this ‘journeying together’, which takes place today on different levels (from the local level to the universal one), allow the Church to proclaim the Gospel in accordance with the mission entrusted to Her; and what steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow as a synodal Church?” (Preparatory Document, no. 2). The People of God have experienced this “journeying together” and from the re-reading of this experience a series of characteristic signs of a synodal Church have emerged, which have been collected in Section A of the Instrumentum laboris (IL).
a) Joy is the spiritual sentiment that accompanies the experience of “journeying together”: “We have experienced the joy expressed in the sincere and respectful encounter between brothers and sisters in the faith: to meet each other is to encounter the Lord who is in our midst!” (IL, no. 6).
b) In this atmosphere of joy, the synodal process has become the ‘place’ where an extraordinary variety of charisms, ministries and ecclesial vocations, as well as different languages, cultures, liturgical and theological traditions, of which the Church is the bearer, has been manifested.
c) The reality that all members of the People of God share in common is the fulcrum around which differences find their principle of unity: the dignity that comes from Baptism, which makes those who receive it children of God, brothers and sisters in Christ. By virtue of Baptism, each member of the People of God is a fully-fledged subject of the common mission of proclaiming the Gospel. In the particularity of their vocation, each is empowered to offer his or her irreplaceable contribution, manifesting the charisms they have received through the ministry they exercise. In this way, the People of God once again becomes a fully-fledged subject of ecclesial life insofar as all the baptised share in Christ’s priestly, prophetic and kingly function (cf. LG, no. 10).
d) The experience of synodal meetings has led to an appreciation of listening as a principle of the synodal Church, and the willingness to listen has been recognised as a necessary attitude for our maturation in a synodal style and form of Church. The desire for encounter and dialogue with those with whom we share the same Baptism has been expressed with enthusiasm.
e) The synodal path has enabled the Church to experience first-hand the ways that differences can be perceived as sources of division and polarisation. The multiplicity of motivations and tensions that run through the ecclesial body, if welcomed with respect for the other, can represent a constructive challenge to rebuild communion and a way to accomplish the Church’s mission together without lapsing into sterile oppositions. This is why a synodal Church is a Church of discernment.
f) The synodal journey has also put us in touch with “the healthy restlessness of incompleteness”, which can be a gift and should not necessarily be perceived as a problem (IL, no. 29). A synodal Church is aware that She is facing the inexhaustible and holy mystery of God.
g) In this same vein, many local Churches have highlighted the fruitfulness of conversation in the Spirit as a method and instrument that, taking its starting point from listening to the Word of God, enables the encounter between brothers and sisters. The attention to each person’s word and the expression of the resonances it arouses open mutual acceptance to listening to the voice of the Spirit. This enables us to understand the steps we need to take to continue “journeying together”.
h) The liturgy, in particular the Eucharist, is the nourishment and inspiration for a synodal Church. It is the space in which we experience the meeting of brothers and sisters summoned by the Father, the Son and the Spirit around the one table, in a choral action in which the variety of vocations, charisms and ministries finds a harmony which is not uniformity. The liturgy casts the Church towards the eschatological horizon of communion definitively accomplished, which is the destination towards which we walk together.
Question for discernment
Starting from the journey of the local Churches to which we each belong and from the contents of the Instrumentum laboris, which distinctive signs of a synodal Church emerge with greater clarity and which deserve greater recognition or should be particularly highlighted or deepened?
Suggestions for prayer and preparatory reflection
1) Reflecting on how the synod course unfolded in the Church where I come from, what is the prevailing spiritual tone that characterises it? What emotions and feelings did it arouse in those who took part? What desires did it arouse in the Christian community? What concerns emerged?
2) How can we grow in a synodal style of liturgical celebration, which highlights the distinctive contribution of all participants, starting from the variety of vocations, charisms and ministries they bear?
3) In my local Church, how have we used and adapted the method of conversation in the Spirit? What are the main fruits it has enabled us to reap? How can it continue to help us grow as a missionary synodal Church?
4) What have we learned about listening as a characteristic of a synodal Church? What resources have we discovered we possess in this regard? Where do we perceive shortcomings? What do we need to address them? How can the ability to listen become an increasingly recognised and recognisable feature of our communities?
5) “A synodal Church promotes the passage from ‘I’ to ‘we’” (IL, no. 25). How has the synodal process promoted the cohesion of the local Church where I come from? How has it helped us to experience “the spiritual savour of being a people” (cf. Evangelii gaudium, nos. 268-274)? How do we feel we can grow in this dimension?
6) Did we meet with members of other Churches or ecclesial communities during the synod journey? Did we meet with believers from other religions? What was the spiritual tone of these meetings? What did we learn in order to grow in our desire and ability to walk together with them?
7) In my local Church, which tensions have emerged most strongly? How did we try to manage them so they did not become explosive? How do we evaluate this experience? What have we learned from this to help us grow in the ability to manage tensions without being crushed by them, which is proper to a synodal Church?
8) What experiences of discernment in common have we had in my local Church context? What have they enabled us to discover? In what direction do we need to continue growing?
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