The third week of the Synod on Synodality has focused on how Church leaders can make and implement decisions, while also focusing on the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalised people across the globe.
On Monday, the assembly focused on the decision-making processes of Church leaders, highlighting the need for transparency, accountability and evaluation. The discussions emphasised the need for approaches to be different in different contexts, noting a difference in Church tradition and local customs.
On Tuesday, the focus shifted slightly to people on the margins. The Synod discussed how the Church could include and welcome people with disabilities. The participants also discussed the role of women, especially as participants returned and reconnected to their local Churches.
Midway through the third week, discussions moved to Church unity and how Bishops’ Conferences could implement that unity, while also discovering the beauty of their own diverse cultures.
Dr Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication and President of the Information Commission, said that “the continental Bishops’ Conferences were seen as the appropriate place to weave synodality at the continental level” and “how to enhance the Bishops’ Conferences as levels of intermediate collegiality.”
Migrants and young people were the central focus of discussions on Thursday. The Synod’s morning session highlighted the need for the Church to welcome migrants and support them. The discussions then turned to how to directly involve more young people in the life of the Church and revitalise the role of parishes.
Friday’s discussions centred on the importance of local churches. In particular, the need for the Eastern Churches to be protected was a big part of the discussions. This flowed on to discussion about a “healthy decentralisation” from Rome to the local Churches.
On Saturday night, Bishop Anthony announced a new network to provide pastoral, practical and better employment and health care support for thousands of migrant workers, refugees and their families across the Pacific.
The participants will meet this week to focus on drafting the final document of the Synod. They will be presented the document on Monday and react to the text on Tuesday. They will take a break at the back end of the week before the final document is read and voted on, on Saturday.