The event that saw Catholics around the globe “walk together in faith” concluded with the releasing of the Synod on Synodality’s final document in Rome on Saturday.
Such was the importance Pope Francis has placed on the synodal process, he indicated that he would not set further direction through an Apostolic Exhortation, but instead chose to personally confirm the document as part of his ordinary papal magisterium, saying what had been produced was sufficient.
“There are already highly concrete indications in the document that can be a guide for the mission of the churches, in their specific continents and contexts.
“This is why I am making it immediately available to everyone, it is the reason I said that it should be published. In this way, I wish to recognise the value of the synodal journey accomplished, which by means of this document I hand over to the holy faithful people of God,” Pope Francis said.
The pope called for increased participation for all in the church, saying “it is harmful when women and men of the church erect walls. Everyone is invited in!”
In his homily for the closing Mass, the pope remarked on the rapid and tumultuous times the world is facing, declaring that Catholics must always be responsive to present circumstances.
“We cannot remain inert before the questions raised by the women and men of today, before the challenges of our time, the urgency of evangelisation and the many wounds that afflict humanity,” Pope Francis said.
Each paragraph of the final document was voted and approved by the required two-thirds majority, with the largest opposition for the paragraph that proposed the continued investigation of admitting women to the diaconate, with almost 30 per cent of members voting “no” (258 in favour, 97 against).
Archbishop of Sydney, Most Rev Anthony Fisher OP said that the second assembly had been a more collegial experience than the first assembly, with members more familiar with each other and the process.
“This time last year, the Synod session was much more tense, much more political and people just bringing their gripes. This time around, we knew each other better, the hot button issues were taken off the table, and we could focus on the common ground we had.”
Speaking ahead of the voting and release of the final document, Archbishop Fisher said, by assigning some of the more controversial issues to study groups, members were able to concentrate on issues more universal to the global church.
“The pope was very wise to take those hot button issues off the table, they were such a distraction and it meant people weren’t really focusing on what we were asked to focus on, which is to be a better church and consult the people of God when making important decisions,” Archbishop Fisher said.
The final 51-page Synod document was released in Italian and was not released in English at time of publication. It reportedly places an emphasis on greater transparency in the church, lay involvement in the selection of Bishops and an overhaul of training for future priests.
At a media conference following the approval and release of the final document, Secretary-General of the Synod Cardinal Mario Grech said that the synodal process had been an absolute success, not just for the outcome, but for how the process united the Church.
“The experience during this year has been beautiful.”
“For me, personally, this document is important, but there is a document that was not written, which is the experience,” Cardinal Grech said.
Australians were well-represented at the Synod, both in terms of members and advisors and facilitators. Australian members included Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, Archbishop Patrick O’Regan, Bishop Anthony Randazzo, Bishop Shane Mackinlay, Dr Trudy Dantis, director of the National Centre for Pastoral Research; John Lochowiak, chair of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council; Diocese of Broken Bay chancellor Kelly Paget; Fr Sijeesh Pullenkunnel, chancellor of the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Melbourne; and Professor Renee Kohler-Ryan, national head of philosophy and theology from the University of Notre Dame Australia.
Australian experts included ACU academics Dr Sandie Cornish and Fr Ormond Rush, Br Ian Cribb SJ, and Adjunct Professor Susan Pascoe.