Vatican City, 09/09/2023 (KAP) Summary The Vatican has announced further details about the course of the next World Synod in Rome. At a press conference at the Vatican on Friday, the head of the communications authority, Paolo Ruffini, announced that German is not one of the official languages of the central assembly. They are Italian, English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. According to Ruffini, spiritual elements and significantly expanded discussion in small groups should play a special role in the upcoming Synod of Bishops.
German was still one of the official languages at previous regular synods of bishops. An exception is the 2019 Amazon Synod, which was a special assembly on a specific region of the world. German-speaking participants also speak other languages, Ruffini said. They should exchange ideas with different members of the Synod in small groups. A simultaneous translation into German will be available during the plenary sessions.
The head of communications also announced that the first general meeting on October 4th will be broadcast online. Afterwards, around 370 participants will discuss in groups of ten to twelve people. According to Ruffini, these groups are composed according to the linguistic and content preferences of the participants and change during the Synod. Participants also present the group’s contributions to the entire plenary session and discuss them there.
Thematically, they cover five modules: synodality, community, mission and participation, in addition to a final module. After this, there should be a summary report that participants have agreed to. According to the head of communications, this provisional status will be published. It is not yet clear whether consent to this would be given in the form of a vote.
In October 2024, the Synod will meet for a second round. They will then vote on the final proposals to be presented to the Pope for a final decision.
The World Synod, which has lasted two years, will enter a decisive phase from October 4th to 29th. Next, around 370 participants will discuss future consultation and decision-making processes in the Catholic Church at the Vatican. Among other things, it deals with the role of women in the Church, the treatment of homosexuals and other sexual minorities, and the position of bishops. For the first time, women have the right to vote in a synod of bishops.
Also present at the meeting are some of the newly appointed cardinals. The naming ceremony will take place on September 30th in St. Peter’s Basilica. The voting participants of the Austrian Synod are Cardinal Christoph Schönborn and the president of the Austrian Episcopal Conference, Archbishop Franz Lackner. Linz pastoral theologian Klara-Antonia Csiszar participates in the deliberations as a non-voting expert.