Pope Francis is inviting Catholics both in the mainstream of church life and on the margins to voice their dreams, ideas and concerns in preparation for the Synod of Bishops in 2023.
The process launches Oct. 17 in parishes and dioceses worldwide. The
To listen to the Holy Spirit, members of the church must listen to each other and especially to those who are marginalized, Pope Francis said, explaining how dioceses are to help the church prepare for the Synod of Bishops.
This means that, for
The Vatican has issued the preparatory document and a "handbook" for dioceses as part of the global church's preparation for the 2023 assembly of the Synod of Bishops, discussing the theme, "For a synodal church: communion, participation and mission."
"Pope Francis invites the
Consecrated virgins, hermits and members of religious orders, individually and as communities, should take part in the consultations for the Synod of Bishops, because "to ensure that the synodal church is not a mirage, but rather a dream to be realized, it
The Vatican released the names of members of two commissions charged with assisting the leaders of the Synod of Bishops' general secretariat in reviewing documents, drafting resources and developing best practices.
According to the synod website, the theological commission and the methodology commission
Pope Francis has chosen Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg to serve as relator general of the Synod of Bishops on synodality.
The appointment of Cardinal Hollerich, who also serves as president of the Commission of Bishops' Conferences of the European Union, was announced
Xaviere Missionary Sister Nathalie Becquart will not be the first woman undersecretary of a major Vatican office, but she will be the first woman with a right to vote at a meeting of the Synod of Bishops.
Pope Francis named the French sister
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Italian Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri as secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops and appointed in his place its current pro-secretary-general, Maltese Bishop Mario Grech.
The Vatican made the announcement Sept. 16.
Pope Francis has decided the next world Synod of Bishops at the Vatican, which will take place in October 2022, will have the theme: "For a synodal church: Communion, participation and mission." The Vatican announced the choice of "synodality" as the theme
Pope Francis has decided the next general assembly of the Synod of Bishops will be held in the fall of 2022, but he has not announced the theme for the gathering, the Vatican said. Meeting with the pope Feb. 6-7, members of