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Vatican City, Oct 29, 2024 / 10:00 am (CNA).

The Vatican issued its first annual report Tuesday assessing the Catholic Church's policies and procedures to prevent abuse in dioceses worldwide from Africa to Oceania.

The 50-page report by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors is the first in an annual series that aims to provide analysis of safeguarding measures in dioceses, Catholic organizations, and religious orders globally over the next five to six years.

Released on Oct. 29, the inaugural report found that "a significant part of Central and South America, Africa, and Asia have inadequate dedicated resources" available for safeguarding efforts.

The pontifical commission also identified a "persistent concern regarding the transparency in the Roman Curia's procedures and juridical processes," noting that this lack of transparency is likely to "foment distrust among the faithful, especially the victim/survivor community."

It pointed to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) in particular for its slow processing of cases and lengthy canonical proceedings, which it said can be a "source of re-traumatization for victims."

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors has been a part of the DDF since Pope Francis' reform of the Roman Curia in 2022, yet the commission has frequently underlined its independence from the dicastery.

The commission also called for a dedicated advocate or ombudsman in the Vatican to assist victims and advocated for further study on compensation policies.

The report is not an audit of abuse incidents within the Church but rather a review of safeguarding policies and procedures. The commission indicated that future reports could evolve to include an audit function on the incidence of abuse, including measuring progress in reducing and preventing abuse.

The commission's pilot report evaluated diocesan safeguarding practices in a dozen countries, including Mexico, Belgium, Cameroon, and Papua New Guinea, as well as two religious orders and across Caritas' regional offices. 

The commission's findings varied across regions. While parts of Europe displayed advanced safeguarding practices, including trauma-informed support, regions such as Central and South America, Africa, and parts of Asia face significant challenges due to limited resources and inadequate training. 

The commission cited critical obstacles, from cultural and financial barriers to shortages of trained personnel in areas like canon law and psychology.

In Papua New Guinea, funding constraints restrict training for safeguarding experts, and prohibitively expensive rape kits limit the ability to gather evidence for criminal investigations. A similar lack of trained experts in canon law and psychology impedes the work of Church safeguarding offices in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Zambia, meanwhile, faces cultural obstacles, such as a "patriarchal society" and "a culture of silence," which prevent survivors, particularly young girls, from reporting abuse. 

In Mexico, cultural barriers to reporting abuse also pose a significant hurdle to justice, according to the report. 

In response to gaps in safeguarding resources, particularly in developing regions, the commission introduced the "Memorare Initiative," inspired by a traditional prayer to the Virgin Mary. This program aims to support the establishment of centers for abuse reporting and victim services in the Global South.

Other recommendations included streamlined procedures for removing Church leaders implicated in abuse or cover-ups, as well as policies promoting fair compensation for victims.

The report also suggested that the Vatican collaborate with pontifical universities to create specialized courses of study on safeguarding for clergy and Church workers.

Looking ahead, the commission plans to review between 15 and 20 bishops' conferences per year during ad limina visits, with the goal of examining the entire Church over five to six years.

Pope Francis requested the commission to create the report in 2022. Cardinal Seán O'Malley, who has led the commission since it was established by Francis in 2014, emphasized that the annual reports are intended as both a tool for accountability and a step toward restoring trust in the Church's commitment to safeguarding and transparency.

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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Oct 29, 2024 / 06:00 am (CNA).

A petition calling for the U.K.'s prime minister to protect the right of British citizens to engage in silent prayer has garnered nearly 60,000 signatures following recent arrests of pro-life advocates outside of abortion clinics. 

The open letter urges Prime Minister Keir Starmer to refrain from naming silent prayer as a criminal offense. The issue comes amid recent civil and criminal charges issued against pro-life advocates for violating so-called "buffer laws" designed to ban demonstrations outside of abortion clinics.

The letter, circulated by Alliance Defending Freedom UK, notes that buffer zone laws, also known as Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs), "have quickly become thought- and speech-restricting 'censorship zones.'"

ADF UK's letter cites the recent example of Adam Smith-Connor, an army veteran who was arrested and convicted for praying silently outside an abortion clinic. The Bournemouth Magistrates' Court on Oct. 16 found Smith-O'Connor guilty of violating buffer zone laws.

The court mandated Smith-O'Connor pay prosecution costs of nearly $12,000 and further ruled that he will face sentencing if convicted of an offense in the next two years. 

"The slippery slope is clear; if the criminal law requires us to refrain from 'offensive' thoughts anywhere, there is simply no logical endpoint," ADF UK stated. 

"Today, it's pro-life views that offend progressive social orthodoxies; tomorrow, it could be gender-critical views and gender-critical buffer zones. A genuinely democratic society must champion diversity of thought and the free and frank exchange of views," the letter continued.

ADF UK revealed that it was able to crowdsource funding to pay Smith-O'Connor's legal fees and that it is "now considering options to appeal [the court's] unjust decision." 

The letter also cites the cases of pro-life activists Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, Lovia Tossici-Bolt, and Father Sean Gough, who were targeted by the U.K. government for praying silently or holding signs outside of abortion clinics in the U.K. 

"In over 10 civil proceedings and criminal charges regarding silent prayer, the legal outcome has been clear on each occasion: Silent prayer is not a crime, and the state has no authority to censor our thoughts," the letter continued. 

Vaughan-Spruce was eventually acquitted of all charges, and the officers who arrested her were ordered to pay the pro-life advocate 13,000 pounds — about $16,000 — in compensation for wrongful arrest and assault and battery.

What are 'buffer zone' laws? 

Essentially, "buffer zone" laws establish a perimeter around abortion facilities, barring protesters from demonstrating in any way within 150 to 200 meters (about 500 to 650 feet) of the premises, depending on local regulations. 

There are currently five councils across the U.K. that enforce abortion clinic buffer zones — though that is set to change at the end of this month when buffer zones will be enforced on a nationwide basis. 

Parliament passed the Public Orders Act of 2023 for England and Wales, which will enact "safe access zones" of nearly 500 feet around abortion clinics nationally on Oct. 31, barring all forms of protest within these zones, from silent prayer to blocking clinic entrances. Punishment for violations includes up to six months in prison and unlimited fines.

In the letter, ADF UK called on Starmer to vacate the legislation over its suppression of free speech.

"Prime Minister, we urge you to refrain from issuing guidance that ignores the courts, domestic and international law, and the fundamental rights of the members of the public who put you into power," the letter stated, appealing to Starmer, in conclusion, to "please act urgently to ensure that thought is never buffered, censored, or criminalized."

Northern Ireland also passed its own Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act in 2023, establishing a radius of 100 meters, or approximately 328 feet. Scotland followed suit with its Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act in 2024, allotting a radius of 200 meters, or approximately 656 feet. 

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ACI Africa, Oct 29, 2024 / 07:00 am (CNA).

The rector of the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary of Nigeria's Diocese of Auchi was abducted on Sunday, Oct. 27, when gunmen attacked the seminary located in Edo state in the country's embattled central southern region.

A statement given by the diocese's director of communications, Father Peter Egielewa, reported that Father Thomas Oyode was kidnapped around 7 p.m. during evening prayers and Benediction at the seminary.

Egielewa said that following the abduction, Oyode was "led into the bush."

In the Oct. 28 statement, Egielewa clarified that the seminary's vice rector and all the seminarians were safe following the attack.

He added that the seminarians, along with all staff of the minor seminary, had been temporarily relocated to a safe area as uncertainty lingered around the institution.

Egielewa, however, expressed regret that the diocese is yet to receive any communication concerning the whereabouts of Oyode.

He noted that an official report of the incident has been lodged with the Nigerian authorities and added: "We look forward to their assistance in securing the release of our abducted priest."

In his appeal for solidarity with Oyode, Egielewa said: "The Catholic Diocese of Auchi requests all people of goodwill to join the faithful of the diocese in prayers so that the abductors release Father Oyode unharmed."

Established in 2006 by Bishop Gabriel Ghiakhomo Dunia of the Auchi Diocese, Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary aims to form candidates for the major seminaries, where they pursue priestly studies and formation.

Over 500 candidates have so far successfully graduated from the seminary, which is located in one of the regions in Nigeria that is witnessing increased incidents of banditry and attacks.

This article was first published by ACI Africa, CNA's news partner in Africa, and has been adapted by CNA.

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CNA Staff, Oct 28, 2024 / 17:20 pm (CNA).

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously Monday in favor of a group of Jewish parents who argued that California is discriminating against religious parents and schools by excluding them from receiving funds from its special education programs.

Becket, the public-interest law firm that represented the parents, said in a press release that the Oct. 28 ruling makes it clear that California cannot continue to exclude Jewish families and schools from participating in a federal special education program just because they are religious.

"This is a massive win for Jewish families in California," said Eric Rassbach, vice president and senior counsel at Becket. 

"It was always wrong to cut Jewish kids off from getting disability benefits solely because they want to follow their faith. The court did the right thing by ruling against California's bald-faced discrimination."

In the opinion, written by Judge Kim Wardlaw and joined by Judge Morgan Christen and Judge Mark Bennett, the court held that "we easily conclude that the nonsectarian requirement fails the neutrality test" required by the Constitution.

A group of Jewish parents with children who require special needs education filed the lawsuit in March 2023 against the California Department of Education. Joined by two Jewish schools, the parents called for the state to provide religious schools with equal access to special needs education funding for their students.

At issue was a provision in California law restricting federal funds from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as well as state special education funding to public schools and secular private schools. IDEA funding helps pay for staff training, special education programs, assistive technology, and other services.

California law prohibits these funds from going to private religious schools, such as Catholic schools, Protestant Christian schools, Muslim schools, and any other religiously affiliated schools — including the Orthodox Jewish schools the plaintiffs want their children to attend. 

The plaintiffs in the case argued that California's law discriminates against them based on their religion and prevents them from fully exercising their faith. California countered that its rules are necessary to avoid a violation of the establishment clause of the U.S. Constitution and that the state has a compelling interest in maintaining neutrality toward religion by excluding all "sectarian" schools.

The court agreed with the plaintiffs, finding that the nonsectarian requirement placed a burden on the families' free exercise of religion by forcing them to choose between receiving public special education benefits and educating their children in an Orthodox Jewish setting.

Becket noted that the court's ruling in Loffman v. California Department of Education drew on several recent Supreme Court decisions that mandate equal treatment for religious people, including Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia, Inc. v. Comer, Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, and Carson v. Makin.

Josephine Staton, a federal judge for the Central District of California, had originally dismissed the Jewish families' lawsuit on Aug. 9, 2023. The families then appealed to the 9th Circuit.

California has 90 days to appeal the most recent decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.

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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Oct 28, 2024 / 18:00 pm (CNA).

The president of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) has issued a statement inviting U.S. Catholics to pray with Pope Francis' latest encyclical on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 

The Holy Father's fourth encyclical, Dilexit Nos ("He Loved Us"), issued on Oct. 24, calls for a renewed understanding of devotion to the Sacred Heart amid the challenges of today.

In his missive to U.S. Catholics, Archbishop Timothy Broglio writes: "The ills of modern society can read like a litany of uncurable diseases: consumerism, secularism, partisanism. Today, Pope Francis offers a simple and powerful cure: the Sacred Heart of Jesus."

"Within this devotion, we encounter the living heart of Jesus and the power to bring us together as children of God," Broglio writes.

"I invite you to spend time in prayer with this moving letter from the Holy Father," the archbishop says, citing a reminder from Pope Francis that "Jesus is now waiting for you to give him the chance to bring light to your life."

The archbishop concludes by urging the faithful to follow the encouragement of Pope Francis to "speak of Christ, by witness or by word, in such a way that others seek to love him." 

Broglio also observed that the Holy Father's message in Dilexit Nos should hold special weight among U.S. Catholics, pointing out that it "affirms a message of our own National Eucharistic Revival that in the Eucharist we discover the 'immense love of the heart of Christ.'" 

Begun in 2022 as a "grassroots response of the Church in the United States," the nationwide movement saw over 60,000 pilgrims from across the country joining together for the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis this past summer.

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ACI Prensa Staff, Oct 28, 2024 / 18:40 pm (CNA).

Pope Francis has decided to cut the salaries of the cardinals working at the Vatican again, a measure that will take effect Nov. 1.

According to the Italian ANSA news agency, layman Maximino Caballero Ledo, the prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, informed the cardinals of the Holy Father's decision in a letter dated Oct. 18, almost a month after another letter from Pope Francis on the subject.

Specifically, the cut in salaries or stipends will be in two areas: the "secretarial bonus" and the "office compensation," two methods that were part of the monthly allowances and that will no longer be paid.

Although the Vatican does not specify how much a cardinal working in the Vatican receives, ANSA indicated that it is approximately 5,500 euros a month (about $65,000 a year). With the current cut, that amount would decrease by about 500 euros ($540). 

In his letter to the cardinals, Caballero also pointed out that there are "other measures, which are being studied by the competent bodies," and that "will require the contribution of everyone."

Caballero also indicated that he trusts that this measure "will be welcomed in the most authentic spirit of cooperation for the good of the Church."

In a September letter, Pope Francis indicated to the cardinals that "further effort is needed, on the part of everyone, so that the 'zero deficit' is not just a theoretical objective but an actually achievable goal."

The Italian daily Il Messagero notes that, together with the decrease in donations from Peter's Pence, the cost to keep paying the salaries of the 4,000 Vatican employees amounts to about 10 million euros ($10.8 million) per month. (An average of about $32,400 a year per employee).

The Vatican's latest budget put the deficit at 83 million euros ($89.7 million).

According to the Spanish newspaper Europa Press, this cut in the cardinals' salaries will allow them to "save 180,000 euros ($194,000) a year, a symbolic figure and a gesture that lays the groundwork for being able to ask other senior Vatican officials to make sacrifices."

The previous salary cut for cardinals

In March 2021, Pope Francis decided to reduce the salaries of cardinals serving in the Vatican by 10% in order to "safeguard current jobs" and guarantee "an economically sustainable future."

At the time, the Holy Father explained that the salary reduction was justified "in view of the deficit that has characterized the financial management of the Holy See for several years" and "taking into account the worsening of this situation following the health emergency caused by the spread of COVID-19, which has negatively affected all sources of income of the Holy See and the Vatican City State."

The measure went into effect on April 1, 2021.

In addition, in March 2023, Pope Francis decided to eliminate the possibility for cardinals and other senior Vatican officials to use free of charge or at advantageous rates housing owned by the Holy See.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

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CNA Staff, Oct 28, 2024 / 14:10 pm (CNA).

The Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees are currently going head to head in this year's World Series. The last time the two popular teams faced each other on baseball's biggest stage was in 1981.

As baseball fans across the country watch the series unfold, Archbishop José Gómez of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York are also taking part in the excitement as they root for their home teams.

On Oct. 25, the two Catholic prelates announced a friendly wager involving New York-style bagels being sent to Gómez if the Dodgers win and Randy's Donuts being sent to Dolan if the Yankees win.

Additionally, they are encouraging their respective followers to take part by making donations to Baseball Unites, a site that will direct funds to both the John Cardinal O'Connor School in New York and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles' Catholic Education Foundation. Whichever team wins the World Series will earn its Catholic educational institution 60% of what's raised and the losing team will receive 40%. 

"I'm grateful to my brother, Archbishop Gómez, for agreeing to this friendly wager," Dolan said in a press release. "I'm looking forward to three things: 1. A great World Series with the Yankees winning their 28th Championship; 2. Enjoying Randy's Donuts; 3. Raising awareness of and support for the John Cardinal O'Connor School and the Catholic Education Foundation of Los Angeles."

"This is going to be a great World Series," Gómez said. "Baseball truly unites us as a country, but in every contest there has to be a winner, and that will be the Dodgers!" 

"I know my friend Cardinal Dolan is a good sport, and I'm going to enjoy the New York bagels that he will be sending me," the archbishop continued. "I'm also grateful for this chance to highlight the great work of our Catholic schools in L.A. and New York and across the country. I have already made my donation, and I encourage everyone to enjoy the series and support the great mission of Catholic education. Go Blue!"

The John Cardinal O'Connor School was established to provide an affordable, Christ-centered, language-based academic curriculum for children in second through eighth grade with learning disabilities, speech or language impairments, or learning differences.

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles' Catholic Education Foundation was established in 1987 and provides tuition assistance to needy students attending Catholic elementary and high schools in the archdiocese. Since its founding, it has provided more than 230,000 tuition awards in excess of $264 million. 

Gómez made a similar wager with the archbishop of Cincinnati in 2022 when the Los Angeles Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers currently lead the best-of-seven-games World Series 2-0.

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London, England, Oct 28, 2024 / 11:15 am (CNA).

A leading archbishop from Wales said he is "pleased" that the Welsh assembly has rejected a motion to legalize assisted suicide, highlighting support for the "most vulnerable." 

The motion in the Welsh Parliament, known as the Senedd, proposed a new law to legalize assisted dying in Wales and England, but it was defeated 26-19 on Oct. 23. First Minister Eluned Morgan and Health Secretary Jeremy Miles were among those to vote against the motion. 

Welcoming the outcome, Archbishop Mark O'Toole of Cardiff-Menevia said: "Support of the most vulnerable in our society, so clearly threatened by the proposed law, is good to see. I was very pleased to see that the majority in the Senedd voted against a motion which encouraged assisted suicide legislation."

Catholic minister Delyth Jewell, deputy leader of Plaid Cymru, also spoke out against the motion, saying: "My fear with this motion, my terror, is not so much with how it will begin but how it will end."

Jewell shared that an assisted-dying law would leave disabled and vulnerable people with "no choice but to end their life," saying: "For many disabled people or people who are not close to their family, people who are worried, anxious, and lonely, it would leave them to feeling they have no choice but to end their life."

The result comes prior to a vote on Kim Leadbeater's assisted suicide bill Nov. 29, which proposes to legalize assisted suicide in England and Wales. While the Senedd does not have power to introduce the legislation, the vote was symbolic and viewed as a guide on how Wales will vote in the Leadbeater bill. 

The rejection of the Welsh motion is seen as significant because it shows the Welsh Assembly, including its leader, rejects an assisted suicide regime on Wales.

O'Toole urged Catholics to not rest on their laurels but to take an active part in speaking out against the Leadbeater bill. 

"I continue to encourage all Catholics to write to their MPs [members of Parliament] to express their concerns about the proposed law currently before the U.K. Parliament and to encourage them not to vote for it," he said.

The archbishop's comments came as Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth delivered a stark warning that legalizing assisted dying in England and Wales would be like welcoming Adolph Hitler's Nazi "ideology."

In a pastoral letter titled "Thou Shalt Not Kill," addressed to parishioners in the Diocese of Portsmouth, Egan wrote: "To permit killing is wrong. It would be a shift of historic significance. It would be to capitulate to the very ideology Britain fought against in the Second World War."

Egan was referring to Hitler's promotion of the rights of the strong to dominate the weak by any means necessary during the Second World War — including violence and murder — and founded an ideology that led to the murder of millions.

Egan underlined the consequences of legalizing assisted suicide. "'Thou shalt not kill' is an instinctive principle written into every human heart," he wrote.

"If we yield to [assisted dying] and permit killing, we will cross a line from which there is no return. Like using nuclear weapons, once deployed, it's too late; there's only escalation."

He continued: "It would darken the atmosphere of medical wards that care for the elderly, and it would inexorably lead to euthanasia, the right to make another person die, when difficult cases need to be decided by consultants and relatives, or lawyers and the courts."

Meanwhile, U.K. pro-life groups were quick to welcome the landmark decision in Wales. 

Right to Life UK spokesperson Catherine Robinson said: "This vote shows that the Welsh Parliament clearly rejects the imposition of assisted suicide on Wales from Westminster, with fewer than a third of Senedd members voting in favor."

"Legalizing assisted suicide presents an acute threat to vulnerable people, especially in the context of an overstretched health care system," Robinson continued. "The U.K. must prioritize properly funded, high-quality palliative care for those at the end of their life, not assisted suicide."

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Vatican City, Oct 27, 2024 / 11:40 am (CNA).

In his Angelus address on Sunday, Pope Francis remembered Father Marcelo Pérez, a priest recently murdered in the violence-stricken region of Chiapas, Mexico.

The pope called the slain priest "a zealous servant of the Gospel and God's faithful people" and said he joined the local diocese of San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico, in mourning his loss.

"May his sacrifice, like that of other priests killed for fidelity to the ministry, be a seed of peace and Christian life," Francis said.

Pérez was shot and killed on Oct. 20 after celebrating Mass. Described by his diocese as a "tireless apostle of peace," Pérez's murder came amid his ongoing efforts to defend local communities from violence and injustice.

His work had drawn serious threats; the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) had issued precautionary measures for Pérez's protection since 2015 due to "the constant risk to his life and personal safety" because of "his work in defense of human rights."

Pérez's murder marks the latest in a disturbing pattern of violence against clergy in Mexico. According to the Catholic Multimedia Center, 36 Catholic priests have been killed in Mexico since 2013.

Appeal for peace and human dignity

Speaking from a window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis asked people to continue praying for peace in the world, particularly in Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, and Lebanon. He called for an end to escalation and urged "respect for human life, which is sacred."

"The first victims are among the civilian population. We see it every day," Francis said. "Too many innocent victims. We see every day images of slaughtered children — too many children! Let us pray for peace."

The pope also pointed to the upcoming international conference hosted by the Red Cross in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions. The pope expressed hope that the event will "awaken consciences" and reinforce the importance of respecting human dignity during times of conflict. He lamented the destruction of civilian facilities in war zones, including hospitals and schools, and urged adherence to international humanitarian law.

Catholic-Jewish relations

Pope Francis took the opportunity to reflect on the Church's role in interfaith dialogue as he marked the 50th anniversary of the Catholic Church's Commission for Religious Relations with Judaism created by St. Paul VI. He also looked ahead to next year's 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, a Vatican II declaration that significantly advanced Catholic-Jewish relations.

"Especially in these times of great suffering and tension, I encourage those who are committed locally to dialogue and peace," he said.

The importance of charity

In his reflection on Sunday's Gospel, Pope Francis underlined the importance of charity. "When you approach a poor person and take action, it is Jesus who approaches you in the person of that poor person," he said.

"The one who receives the most grace from almsgiving is the one who gives it because he is being watched by the eyes of the Lord," he added.

Prayer for the Philippines

The pope also offered prayers for the Philippines, where Tropical Storm Trami recently caused severe flooding, leaving at least 82 people dead, according to the Associated Press.

"I am close to the people of the Philippines affected by a very strong cyclone. May the Lord sustain that people so full of faith," he said.

Synodality and the future of the Church

Pope Francis prayed the Angelus shortly after presiding over the closing Mass for the Synod on Synodality's second assembly in St. Peter's Basilica. The synod assembly, which began on Oct. 2, focused on the theme "For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission."

The assembly represented a significant phase in the Church's global synodal process, initiated three years ago. Over the last month, synod delegates produced a 52-page final document outlining recommendations for Church renewal, including proposals for expanded women's leadership roles, greater lay participation in decision-making, and significant structural reforms.

"Today we have concluded the Synod of Bishops," Pope Francis told the crowd in St. Peter's Square. "Let us pray that everything we have acted on this month will go forward for the good of the Church."

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Rome Newsroom, Oct 27, 2024 / 07:00 am (CNA).

On Saturday, Pope Francis made the unprecedented decision to accept the final document from the Synod of Synodality as authoritative Church teaching. 

The 52-page text includes a theological reflection on the nature of synodality, which it says is the fulfillment of the reforms of Vatican II, as well as proposals for how to apply synodality to relationships, structures, and processes within the Catholic Church. 

The end goal is to make the Church more effective at evangelization by making it more participatory and inclusive. 

Here are answers to the big questions about the Synod on Synodality's final document: 

1. How did Pope Francis make this document magisterial?

Pope Francis immediately approved the final document after synod members voted on it. According to reforms he made in 2018, the Synod on Synodality's final text is therefore part of his ordinary magisterium.

This decision is a break from previous practice, which usually sees the pope use a synod's final document as a basis for drafting his own apostolic exhortation on the topic (think Amoris Laetitia, after the 2015 Synod on the Family). The fact that a synod body whose membership was 27% non-bishops just produced a magisterial text will certainly leave theologians and canonists with much to talk about. 

2. How does the document relate to Vatican II? 

The document says that the Synod on Synodality was the product of "putting into practice what the Council taught about the Church as Mystery and the Church as People of God."

Therefore, the document says, the synodal process "constitutes an authentic further act of the reception" of Vatican II, "thus reinvigorating its prophetic force for today's world."  

3. What does the final report say about the role of women in the Church (including so-called "deaconesses")? 

The final text says that women "continue to encounter obstacles" in living out their "charisms, vocation and roles" in the Church.

The synod calls for women to be accepted into any role currently allowed by canon law, including leadership roles in the Church.  

Regarding the question of "women's access to diaconal ministry," the text says the question "remains open" and that "discernment needs to continue." A separate Vatican study group is currently considering that topic, with its final report expected in June 2025.  

4. What did the text say about "decentralization?" 

The document calls for episcopal conferences to play a greater role in enculturating the faith in their local context and asks for clarification about their current level of doctrinal authority. However, it does emphasize that bishops' conferences cannot override a local bishop's authority nor "risk either the unity or the catholicity of the Church." 

The document also calls for more plenary and provincial councils, and for the Vatican to accept these bodies' conclusions more speedily. 

5. Does the text mention LGBTQ inclusion? 

While it does condemn the exclusion of others because of "their marital situation, identity or sexuality," the text doesn't use the term "LGBTQ."

6. What does the final document say about changes in Church decision-making? 

The final document calls for a "synodal" reform of canon law, including removing the formula that consultative bodies have "merely a consultative" vote. It calls for the greater participation of lay people in "decision-making processes," and to do so through new synodal structures and institutions. 

Church authorities, the document states, may not ignore conclusions reached by consultative, participatory bodies.

7. What does the document say about the "sensus fidei?" 

The document describes the sensus fidei as the "instinct for truth of the Gospel" received through baptism. It also notes that the People of God cannot err "when they show universal agreement in matters of faith and morals." 

Interestingly, the final document does not include additional language about the need for "authentic discipleship" to maturely exercise the sensus fidei, which was included in last year's synthesis document and is found in an important Vatican document on the subject.

8. In what concrete ways might the Church change after the Synod on Synodality?  

Depending on how it's implemented, the Synod's final document could concretely impact everything from how bishops are selected to how governance decisions are made in parishes, dioceses, and the Vatican, with a greater emphasis on widespread consultation. It could also create new synodal bodies, like continental assemblies and a council of Eastern Catholic leaders to advise the pope. 

9. Which paragraphs received the most pushback? 

Over 27% of delegates voted against continuing to explore the possibility of women deacons.  

13% voted against the paragraph emphasizing the significance of episcopal conferences, which also appears to bind a bishop to decisions made by his conference. 

12% voted against establishing a study group to look into making liturgical celebrations "more an expression of synodality," including what may be a reference to lay preaching during the liturgy. 

And 11% of delegates opposed the proposal to revise canon law "from a synodal perspective."

10. One more time: What does synodality mean? 

The final document describes synodality as "a path of spiritual renewal and structural reform that enables the Church to be more participatory and missionary, so that it can walk with every man and woman, radiating the light of Christ."  

The model of synodality, the document states, is Mary because she "listens, prays, meditates, dialogues, accompanies, discerns, decides and acts."

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