Visit Summary report of the first session of the XVIe he Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, approved on October 28, 2023, lists multiple and important theological questions, all linked in various ways to the synodal renewal of the Church and having juridical and pastoral repercussions.
These issues, by their very nature, require in-depth study. Given that it is not possible to carry out this study during the second session (October 2-27, 2024), I have decided that these questions should be entrusted to specific study groups, so that they can be adequately examined. This will be one of the fruits of the synodal process begun on October 9, 2021.
In the spirit of Chirograph - which I signed on February 16th of this year, it is up to the General Secretariat of the Synod, in agreement with the competent dicasteries of the Roman Curia, to set up these groups, inviting pastors and experts from every continent to take part, and taking into consideration not only existing studies, but also the most relevant experiences taking place within the People of God gathered in the local Churches. It is important that these study groups work according to an authentically synodal method, for which I ask you to vouch.
This will make it easier for the assembly, at its second session, to focus attention on the general theme I assigned to it at the time, which can now be summed up in the question: «How can we be a synodal church on mission?.
The study groups will present a first report on their activities at the second session and, if possible, conclude their mandate by June 2025.
Having considered each aspect, I have established that the groups in question will deal with the themes listed below in a synthetic way, in the light of the contents of the Summary report (RdS):
- Certain aspects of relations between the Eastern Catholic Churches and the Latin Church (RdS 6).
- Listening to the cry of the poor (RoS 4 and 16).
- Mission in the digital age (RoS 17).
- The revision of the Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis in a synodal missionary perspective (RdS 11).
- Certain theological and canonical questions concerning specific ministerial forms (RoS 8 and 9).
- The revision, in a synodal and missionary perspective, of documents regulating relations between bishops, consecrated life and ecclesial aggregations (RdS 10).
- Certain aspects of the figure and ministry of the bishop (in particular: criteria for the selection of candidates to the episcopate, the judicial function of the bishop, the nature and conduct of visitations, etc.) have been taken into account. ad limina Apostolorum) in a synodal missionary perspective (SO 12 and 13).
- The role of pontifical representatives in a missionary synod perspective (RdS 13).
- Theological criteria and synodical methodologies for shared discernment of controversial doctrinal, pastoral and ethical issues (RdS 15).
- Receiving the fruits of the ecumenical journey in ecclesial practices (SO 7).
It will be up to the General Secretariat of the Synod to prepare the work plan specifying the mandate of the groups in the light of my indications.
In thanking you for the work you've done so far, I bless you and accompany you in prayer, along with all those who generously collaborate on the ongoing journey.
François