杏MAP导航

By Salvatore Cernuzio

The role of women and the possibility of female deacons; the risk of the disappearance of Eastern Churches due to war; a 鈥減astoral鈥� approach for polygamists in Africa; the proclamation of the Gospel in the digital age; the relationship between bishops and priests and with the people of God: the criteria for selecting episcopal candidates; a 鈥渟ynodal鈥� perspective on the work of Nuncios: and ecumenical dialogue: At the first General Congregation of the Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which opened yesterday afternoon with the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 address and introductory speeches from Cardinal Grech and the general rapporteur, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, gave the floor to representatives from each of the ten Study Groups established by the 杏MAP导航 last February to explore certain topics on a theological and canonical level.

Representatives of the groups, each introduced by a short video and given a maximum of three minutes to present, outlined the work carried out thus and the future plans, which foresee a constant dialogue (contrary to those who hypothesized a 鈥減arallel鈥� path to the Synod) between synodal fathers and mothers and the Study Groups.

The 鈥渞esponses鈥� produced by the groups will be delivered to the 杏MAP导航 in 2025, a year after the conclusion of the Synod but will take into account the contributions and outcomes from the General Assembly. Cardinal Hollerich described the groups as 鈥渃ompanions on the journey鈥� and 鈥渋nterlocutors.鈥�

Polygamy

As noted, there are ten Study Groups, in addition to several commissions tasked with analysing specific topics.

One of these, dealing with the complicated issue of polygamy in various African countries, was addressed via video by Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo of Congo, Archbishop of Kinshasa and president of SECAM (Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar). His report started with the question of how the Church can pastorally accompany 鈥減eople who have embraced the Christian faith while in polygamous situations鈥� or 鈥渂aptized people who live in polygamy after conversion.鈥�

The Churches of Africa, which several months ago expressed opposition to the possibility of blessings for homosexual people (introduced by the Declaration Fiducia supplicans) now finds itself questioning how to relate to men with up to ten wives, taking into account issues such as the presence of children, economic difficulties, and emotional bonds. Cardinal Ambongo explained that SECAM intends to analyse the various forms this phenomenon takes as well as the motivations of those involved and the doctrine of the Church. Catholic doctrine asserts that polygamy 鈥渋s not the ideal of the couple as willed by God.鈥� Today, however, this is not enough: there is a need for 鈥渃loseness,鈥� 鈥渁ctive listening,鈥� and 鈥渟upport.鈥� The work, carried out by a team of experts, will result in a document.

The Role of Women and Female Diaconate

The prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, spoke on behalf of the Group on 鈥渕inisterial forms.鈥�

Anticipating a 鈥渞evival of some of the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 insights鈥� 鈥� in documents like Evangelii gaudium, Querida Amazonia, and Antiquum Ministerium 鈥� that were 鈥減oorly received,鈥� the Cardinal focused on the 鈥減ressing issue of women鈥檚 participation in the life and leadership of the Church.鈥�

This includes the issue of the possibility of admitting women to the diaconate, the subject of work by two Commissions established by the 杏MAP导航. 鈥淲e are aware of the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 public stance, which considers the issue not yet mature,鈥� Cardinal Fernández clarified. 鈥淚n the mind of the Holy Father, there are other issues still to be explored and resolved before rushing to talk about a possible diaconate for some women.鈥�

According to the head of the Dicastery, the risk is that the diaconate could become 鈥渁 kind of consolation for some women,鈥� while 鈥渢he more decisive issue of participation in the Church remains neglected.鈥�

In any case, he added, the Doctrine of the Faith continues its 鈥渋n-depth study,鈥� intertwining the analysis of women in Church history 鈥渨ho exercised real authority鈥� (Matilda of Canossa, Hildegard of Bingen, Joan of Arc, Teresa of Avila, Mama Antula, Dorothy Day) with listening to women today who hold prominent roles in Churches even in distant lands such as Indonesia and Africa.

Thus, Fernández stated, the issue of the female diaconate 鈥渋s scaled down鈥� and 鈥渨e are trying to widen the spaces for a more decisive female presence.鈥�

The Cry of the Poor

The role of women is also central to the studies of the Group dedicated to 鈥渓istening鈥� to the cry of the earth and the poor.

How to strengthen the bond between the Christian community and those who work day-by-day in the service of charity, justice, and development was the focus of the reflections outlined by the coordinator, Australian Sandie Cornish, who emphasized that 鈥渨omen, in every part of the world, belong to the poorest of the poor.鈥�

The Group鈥檚 work 鈥渨ill be structured starting from their voices,鈥� as well as those of volunteers and professionals who 鈥渨alk鈥� with those experiencing poverty and marginalization.

Attention will also be paid to 鈥済roups excluded for years, such as victims of caste discrimination.鈥�

Bishops and diocesan leaders, with whom obstacles have already been discussed, will also be involved, Cornish said, while noting that these obstacles can stimulate creativity and concrete responses.

Eastern Churches devastated by war

Turning to current events, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, the prefect of the Dicastery for Eastern Churches, highlighted 鈥渢he dramatic situation of recent days: bombs, tanks that dramatically destroy not only people but also hope,鈥� targeting a 鈥渟mall and fragile category鈥濃�攖he Eastern Catholic Churches in war-torn areas.

鈥淭hey are in danger of disappearing,鈥� warned the head of the Dicastery, 鈥渁nd their loss would be irreparable for the Church.鈥�

The Group intends to take on the task of 鈥渁sking the Latins, who are stronger and more organized, to help our brothers live better after the heavy emigration from their homelands.鈥�

For some Churches, 鈥渢he majority of the faithful are in the diaspora, not in their own war-torn lands.鈥�

The program for this group, the Cardinal explained, includes a questionnaire and the initiation of a journey even beyond the synodal context, under the care of the Dicastery for Eastern Churches.

Digital and the Proclamation of the Gospel

From the real world to the digital one: American expert Kim Daniel illustrated the work of the Group on evangelization in the virtual world.

A 鈥渘ew missionary page in the life of the Church,鈥� Daniel said, 鈥渁llows us to reach the peripheries鈥� and represents 鈥渁 first proclamation of the Lord in a world that does not know Him.鈥�

Of course, it is necessary to discern the opportunities and challenges of this 鈥渇luid place,鈥� which involves a dynamic of 鈥渋nculturation鈥� for the Church.

The Group includes experts from various sectors of the Church and academia; its work is marked by extensive listening, especially to young people involved in digital culture networks; in the project 鈥淭he Church Listens to You鈥�; and in the pastoral reflection of the Dicastery for Communication on social media, Towards a Full Presence.

Petrine Primacy in an Ecumenical Framework

The relationship between synodality and primacy; Eucharistic hospitality; and the connection with Christian revival movements are the points to be analysed by this Study Group, represented by Bishop Paul Rouhana, auxiliary bishop of Joubbé, Sarba, and Jounieh of the Maronites.

The program, he explained, includes an analysis of the 鈥渇ruits of the reception of the ecumenical journey in ecclesial practices鈥� and some 鈥減ractical proposals for the exercise of Petrine ministry in a new ecumenical framework.鈥�

The document The Bishop of Rome will serve as the basis for meetings and reflections, while the experiences of interdenominational marriages, families, and movements will help broaden the reflection on Eucharistic hospitality.

Meanwhile, there will be a 鈥減ositive鈥� look at non-denominational movements to understand 鈥渨hat we can learn from them in a spirit of an exchange of gifts.鈥�

The relationship between people and astors

The work of the Group, on the service of bishops, priests, and deacons and their relations with the People of God is more strictly ecclesial.

The bishop of Münster, Felix Genn, stressed the need to 鈥渄eepen the relationship between bishop and local Church,鈥� also in light of the 鈥渆xpectations of the people of God鈥� for greater 鈥渢ransparency鈥�; greater respect for local situations; a 鈥済reater involvement of the local Church in the selection of candidates to avoid suspicion of scheming鈥�; and the need to restore the image of 鈥渁 truly synodal Church.鈥�

Consecrated life

鈥淐ommunion,鈥� 鈥渉ierarchy,鈥� 鈥渟ynodality鈥�; but also 鈥渢rust,鈥� 鈥渇raternity,鈥� and 鈥渟isterhood鈥� are the key words guiding the Study Group on the relationships between bishops and the consecrated life; and the collaboration between Episcopal Conferences, major superiors, ecclesial aggregations, and local Churches.

Sister Simona Brambilla, secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life, explained that, in particular, they will examine 鈥渄ifferences and nuances in the ways of living the relationships between bishops and consecrated life.鈥� In some parts of the world, 鈥渢he relationship is effective and fruitful, in others challenging, and consecrated life is viewed in a functionalist way.鈥�

Synodal review of the 鈥楻atio鈥� for priests

Cardinal José Cobo Cano gave his presentation, via video, for the Group responsible for the review, from a 鈥渟ynodal missionary perspective,鈥� of the Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis, the 1985 document on the life, formation, and ministry of priests.

The Ratio 鈥渋s still being received and needs clear guidance,鈥� said the Archbishop of Madrid; through many 鈥減ieces鈥� of proposals and insights, a great 鈥渕osaic鈥� of orientations will be prepared on issues such as seminary formation, priests鈥� service, pastoral care of vocations, relationship with bishops, and education on synodality.

A new way of working for Nuncios

Finally, the last Study Group, according to Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney, is tasked with 鈥渞ethinking the current role of Nuncios,鈥� not so much with regard to the classic diplomatic functions, as with regard to their responsibility to promote 鈥渦nity, fraternity, and synodality among bishops.鈥�