Synod of Bishops

The Latest

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Diocese of Rome: Thousands expected at Vatican for ecumenical prayer vigil ahead of synod

Sep 25, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The prayer service will take place just days before the launch of the 16th General Assembly of the Synod of... Read more

Bishop Felix Gmür of Basel told Swiss newspaper “NZZ am Sonntag” on Sept 24, “It’s time to abolish mandatory celibacy.”

Swiss bishop calls for women’s ordination, end to celibacy ahead of synod

Sep 25, 2023

By AC Wimmer

“It’s time to abolish mandatory celibacy,” Bishop Felix Gmür of Basel told the Swiss newspaper NZZ am Sonntag on Sept... Read more

Credit: FreshStock/Shutterstock

Who are the Chinese bishops attending the Synod on Synodality?

Sep 21, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Bishop Antonio Yao Shun of Jining and Bishop Joseph Yang Yongqiang of Zhoucun will participate in the October assembly. Read more

Pope Francis addressed pilgrims and tourists at his first outdoor general audience after the summer on Sept. 6, 2023.

Synod 2023: What has Pope Francis said about synodality?

Sep 17, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Synodality isn’t “a chapter in an ecclesiology textbook” or a “fad or a slogan to be bandied about in our... Read more

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich (right), relator general of Synod on Synodality, speaks to the media on June 20, 2023, at the temporary headquarters of the Holy See Press Office in Vatican City. Beside him is Cardinal Mario Grech, the Secretary General for the Synod of Bishops.

What you need to know about the Synod on Synodality

Sep 13, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The Church’s synodal process will culminate in two global assemblies at the Vatican. The first will take place Oct. 4–28... Read more

Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas.

Bishop Strickland: Church has ‘no authority whatsoever’ to ordain women to priesthood

Sep 6, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The bishop issued the letter as a follow-up to an August document in which he warned of attempts to “present... Read more

Pope Francis responds to questions from the press aboard the return flight to Rome from Mongolia.

What Pope Francis had to say about the Synod on Synodality in the in-flight press conference

Sep 4, 2023

By Courtney Mares

“In the synod, there is no place for ideology,” Pope Francis told journalists on the flight from Mongolia to Rome. Read more

Pope Francis speaks at the general audience on Aug. 23, 2023.

Pope Francis: Synod on Synodality ‘truly important’ despite being ‘of little interest to the general public’

Aug 26, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The pope spoke about the significance of the synod nearly one month ahead of the first Synod on Synodality assembly... Read more

Cardinal Blase Cupich.

Cupich on German processes, same-sex blessings, role of women

Jul 14, 2023

By AC Wimmer

The archbishop of Chicago spoke about the Germany Synodal Way and blessing of same-sex unions as well as the pontificate... Read more

The opening day of the 15th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in the Vatican Synod Hall on Oct. 3, 2018.

Synod on Synodality: Vatican publishes full list of participants

Jul 7, 2023

By Courtney Mares

For the first time, laypeople will be full voting members of the synod, which begins in October. Read more

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich (right), relator general of Synod on Synodality, speaks to the media on June 20, 2023, at the temporary headquarters of the Holy See Press Office in Vatican City. Beside him is Cardinal Mario Grech, the secretary general for the Synod of Bishops.

Synod on Synodality leaders: Full list of delegates for October assembly still under review

Jun 20, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The June 20 media briefing was held at the Holy See Press Office to present the synod’s Instrumentum Laboris, a... Read more

The Synod of Bishop at the Vatican, Oct. 5, 2018.

Synod on Synodality: Your questions answered

Jun 20, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican released a new document on June 20 outlining key questions for the upcoming 16th General Assembly of the... Read more

The opening day of the 15th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in the Vatican Synod Hall on Oct. 3, 2018.

Synod on Synodality document outlines discussion questions for October assembly

“Discernment” topics include women deacons, priestly celibacy, and greater decision-making by the “People of God.” Read more

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Vatican announces laypeople, including women, will vote in Synod on Synodality assembly

Apr 26, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican announced Wednesday that there will be laypeople participating as voting members in the Synod on Synodality’s October assembly. Read more

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North American synod focuses on abuse scandals, inclusivity, and a ‘missionary’ Church

Apr 14, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

Here is what was on the minds of Catholics who participated in the North American phase of the Catholic Church’s... Read more

Irme Stetter-Karp, president of the Central Committee of German Catholics.

Germany’s Synodal Way leaders push women’s ordination during European bishops’ synodal assembly

Feb 8, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Irme Stetter-Karp, the president of the lay Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK), addressed delegates in the meeting in Prague... Read more

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, archbishop of Luxembourg, (left) and Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops

Synod organizers tell Continental Assemblies not to ‘impose an agenda’ on discussions

Jan 30, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Mario Grech and Cardinal Jean Claude Hollerich stressed that the Synod of Bishops is not meant “to address all... Read more

Sister Nathalie Becquart, who serves as an undersecretary for the Church’s ongoing Synod on Synodality, was recently named on the BBC’s list of 100 inspiring and influential women around the world.

Synod on Synodality official: Women priests ‘not an open question’ for the Church

Dec 13, 2022

By Courtney Mares

In an article published Dec. 13, Sister Nathalie Becquart said that there are many ways for women to serve the... Read more

The opening day of the 15th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in the Vatican Synod Hall on Oct. 3, 2018.

What does the synod document say about ordination of women, LGBTQ issues, and the liturgy?

Oct 27, 2022

By Courtney Mares

At the heart of the synodal process is “a Church capable of radical inclusion,” according to a key document released... Read more

The opening of the Synod for the Family at the Vatican on Oct. 5, 2015.

Vatican’s Synod on Synodality organizers say synod is ‘fruit’ of Second Vatican Council

Oct 10, 2022

By AC Wimmer

In a message marking the 60th anniversary of Vatican II’s opening, the general secretariat of the Synod on Synodality called... Read more