In a daily briefing at the Pontifical Press Office on Tuesday on the latest developments, the Synod General Assembly focused on a variety of topics, including the inclusion of people with disabilities, the role of women and the seriousness of climate emergency in Brazil.
Vatican News
Vatican City, Wednesday, October 16, 2024 (REI): The Tuesday morning synodal session held in the Vatican’s Paul VI Auditorium on October 15 began by remembering the Brazilian poet José Carlos de Sousa, a wanderer who St. Peter experienced under the columns. in the courtyard of the Basilica and died in August. On Tuesday, Cardinal Konrad Kraiński, head of the Vatican’s asylum department, and Cardinal Leonardo Steiner of Brazil held their funerals in the Vatican’s St. Monica’s Cathedral.
Dr. Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Communications and President of the Synod Information Commission, shared the news during the Synod press conference at the Vatican Press Office.
He recalled that in the past Cardinal Kraiński’s department helped a homeless man and that he was known not to ask tourists for money, but sometimes for notebooks in which they could write their poems.
In addition, he announced that the film directed by Matteo Garrone will premiere on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Io Kapitano (I’m Captain) will be screened in the Nuevo Sinodo Room, where some artists will also be present. This screening is an initiative of the Department of Culture and Education.
Dr. Ruffini further explained that 347 participants were present to work in small working groups on Monday afternoon and Tuesday.
Places of relationship as meeting places
Meanwhile, Sheila Pires, secretary of the Synod Information Commission, highlighted the main points of the morning prayer and meditation, led by Benedictine Sister Maria Ignacia Angelini and Cardinal Holrich.
Dr. Pires recalled that Sister Angelini focused on the “ecclesial roots” of the Church, highlighting that “the Church must be incarnated in a concrete context” and reflect on the dynamism of the Gospel.
He said places of human contact provide opportunities to live and proclaim the gospel.
dynamic vision
In his report, Cardinal Holrich underlined the importance of part 3 of the Instrumentum Laboris dedicated to “places”.
As Dr. Pires noted, the discussion focused on mission contexts, especially cities and metropolises, within a dynamic and fluid vision that also considers migration.
Reflecting on the areas that hold together and the links that shape the unity of the Church, Cardinal Holrich invited delegates to consider real-life contexts, warning against abstract ecumenism.
The Cardinal also said that the Church cannot be understood without place and culture, which is why he highlighted the interconnection of places and cultures.
Looking to the future: continuing the journey
Sister Nirmala Alex Maria Nazareth, Superior General of the Sisters of the Apostolic Carmel, described the synod as a “unique experience,” an opportunity to connect with Church representatives from around the world.
He described the reflections of Cardinal-designate Timothy Radcliffe and Sister Maria Ignacia Angelini as “inspiring.”
Looking ahead, Sister Nirmala emphasized the need to connect with local churches upon returning home, but suggested she felt a sense of hope, saying that once we begin the Synod journey, we cannot turn back, but can only advance.
A church rooted in place and culture
Cardinal Steiner, archbishop of Manaus, Brazil, was also among the speakers at a news conference Tuesday.
He highlighted new paths emerging from the Synod, in particular how to reflect the practical meaning of the Synod.
The cardinal said that in Brazil this process is already underway, with many women and permanent deacons actively leading communities in the Amazon. “What we are experiencing here helps us understand the Synod in our local Church even better,” said the Brazilian cardinal.
He stressed that interculturality and interreligiosity are important for a Church, which must be rooted in its environment.
The role of women in the Brazilian church
Cardinal Steiner, head of the vast Archdiocese of Manaus, which covers 90,000 square kilometers, said women have been vital for more than 100 years in the absence of priests.
She noted that many women lead communities, provide pastoral service, and are deeply involved in charity work and prison apostolate.
He stressed that women represent an essential element of the church, and said that without them the church would not be the same.
Regarding the controversial issue of women deacons, Cardinal Steiner acknowledged that many women in remote communities already serve as de facto deacons.
He praised their work and suggested that reviving the female diaconate could be in line with its historical precedent. He asked: “Why not restore the female diaconate?” He said this role could complement the role of male deacons. He said that the issue is not one of gender but of vocation.
environmental crisis in brazil
Synod participants also discussed the environmental emergency in Brazil, particularly in the Amazon, where a months-long drought has left rivers unnavigable, isolating many communities.
Cardinal Steiner described the situation as dire, with water shortages affecting areas beyond the Amazon. He lamented the effects of poaching and mercury pollution on the region’s fragile ecosystem.
Although the synod does not explicitly address environmental issues, Cardinal Steiner highlighted that Pope Francis’ post-synodal apostolic exhortation, Dear Amazonia, provides a framework for understanding the environment as an integral part of the synod.
He said: “The Synod we participate in is part of our mission as a Church, and we must continue this journey even after the Synod ends.”
Question about celibacy of priests
Responding to a question about priestly celibacy, which was one of the most discussed topics at the Special Synod for the Panama Region in 2019, the Brazilian cardinal pointed out the difficulty of working with only 172 priests for a thousand accepted communities, and underlined the difficulty to work. Need to deepen the relationship between the community and priests.
On the same topic, Cardinal-designate Roberto Repole, archbishop of Turin, stated that due to the presence of the bishops of the Eastern Churches, in the Synod there are already “many forms of service.”
Sister Nirmala also presented her perspective on the issue, saying that in her country (India) some issues may require more time.
Reflecting the global church
Cardinal-designate Repole also spoke about the importance of the synodal process for his diocese.
The spiritual depth of the participants and the growing sense of camaraderie among them left a deep impression on them.
The Archbishop of Turin emphasized how the Synod reflects the ecumenical nature of the Church, incorporating voices from diverse cultures while spreading the Gospel.
Answering questions from journalists, Dr. Paolo Ruffini spoke on the issue of inclusion of people with disabilities and admitted that this issue has been raised in some parties and is in the hearts of everyone.
He said: “At least it is being discussed in my working group, in the next few days we will see if it will be discussed in the General Assembly or not. Without a doubt, this issue is close to everyone’s heart and more work is being done on it.” “It can be done. But when we talk about young children, marginalized people, we also talk about people with disabilities.”
