Le Summary report of the first session of the XVIe he Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, approved on 28 October 2023, lists many important theological questions, all linked in various ways to the synodal renewal of the Church and with legal and pastoral repercussions.
These questions, by their very nature, need to be tackled through an in-depth study. Given that it is not possible to carry out this study during the second session (2-27 October 2024), I have decided that these questions should be entrusted to specific study groups, so that they can be properly examined. This will be one of the fruits of the synodal process begun on 9 October 2021.
In the spirit of Chirograph - which I signed on 16 February 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, taking into account not only existing studies but also the most relevant experiences of the People of God gathered together in the local Churches. It is important that these study groups work according to an authentically synodal method, which I ask you to guarantee.
This will make it easier for the assembly, at its second session, to focus on the general theme that I assigned to it at the time, and which can now be summarised in the question: «How can we be a synodal Church on mission?.
The study groups will present an initial report on their activities at the second session and, if possible, conclude their mandate by June 2025.
After considering 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 (SO 8 and 9).
- The revision, from a synodal and missionary perspective, of the documents regulating relations between bishops, consecrated life and ecclesial aggregations (SO 10).
- Certain aspects of the figure and ministry of the Bishop (in particular: criteria for the selection of candidates for the episcopate, the judicial function of the Bishop, the nature and conduct of the 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 synodal missionary perspective (RdS 13).
- Theological criteria and synodal methodologies for a 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 have done so far, I bless you and accompany you in prayer, as well as all those who are generously contributing to the ongoing journey.
François