A press conference held after the conclusion of the second session of the 16th General Assembly on the Synod and the publication of the final document focused on key points, such as the contribution of laity and women to building a less hierarchical Church.
Vatican News
Vatican City, Tuesday, October 29, 2024 (REI): At the press conference held on Saturday evening to discuss the final document of the Synod, Synod participants noted the need to change the language and approach to understanding the Church.
The vision of the “ecumenical church” has changed from being seen as a kind of multinational corporation to a “community of churches” in which lay people and women increasingly contribute. The current issue of women deacons also remains open.
Head of the Synod at the press conference; The Dicastery for Communications included Paolo Ruffini, Cardinal Mario Grec, and Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich.
Theological importance of the Synod document
The first question concerned the Pope’s decision not to issue any exhortations after the synod and what this meant for the future of papal documents.
The theologian Monsignor Riccardo Batacchio affirmed the Pope’s position Episcopal Communion indicating that if the Pope explicitly approves it, the document is part of his dogma, not as a binding norm, but as guiding principles.
Cardinal Mario Grec said the Synod itself had been a powerful and beautiful experience of dialogue and participation.
Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerique SJ considers that in this year, in which the synodal method took root, different points of view were welcomed, giving life to the Church in a true synodal form.
The church is a community, not a corporation.
The final document calls for a new approach, now seeing the church not as a “corporation” with branches but as a community of churches. The term “universal church” has been reformulated to emphasize unity within diversity, considering local churches not as subordinate levels but as unique expressions of faith within the same body of Christ.
Monsignor Battacchio explained that the “atypical” nature of the document does not diminish its impact, but rather points to a joint path marked by multiplicity, a path that reflects the origins of the Church. This vision demands a conversion of the church – not only moral but also relational – fostering deeper and more diverse ecclesial relationships.
Rooted and on pilgrimage
Responding to questions about respecting the Eastern Rite Church’s traditions amid the exodus, Father Giacomo Costa, SJ, noted the Church’s mission to remain “rooted and pilgrim.”
He stressed the importance of maintaining these rich traditions without falling into separatism.
The rediscovery of the treasures of the Eastern Church was an important moment, he said.
Sister María de los Dolores Palencia Gómez spoke about her experience serving a diverse congregation in Mexico, where the mix of citizens from more than 30 nations enriches the faith.
Father Costa also emphasized that the Latin Church is an important part of the Catholic Church, but does not comprise its entirety. He said that this diversity is an asset that must be protected, but not rigid, because it supports faith in different ways. “The Church must serve as a center where people from different backgrounds can come together as brothers and sisters, children of one Father,” Father Costa said.
Unified roles for lay and ordained ministers
Citing Article 76 of the final document, the press conference stressed that lay and ordained priests should not be seen as rivals within the Church but as complementary servants.
Lay ministers are not “fill-in-the-blanks” to priests, but rather contributors to a shared mission, especially in secular areas where the Church adopts a communal rather than hierarchical structure.
Cardinal Hollerich said the liturgy is open to adaptation, allowing for greater participation when appropriate. For example, in his diocese, he often celebrates Mass in Portuguese, using a Brazilian liturgy that encourages broad community participation. He highlighted that the sacrifice of Sunday Mass serves as a focal point for building gospel-centered communities.
Open question for women deacons
An open issue is the possibility of diaconal ordination for women. Monsignor Battakio noted that in many seminaries women already play an important role in priestly formation, with lay families and women actively participating in formation efforts.
Cardinal Grech spoke of a recent experience at a European seminary, where a lay couple contributed to a formation program, a practice that already exists in several Latin American dioceses.
Cardinal Hollerich acknowledged that this is a “very delicate issue” and said the Pope has neither confirmed nor rejected the possibility, keeping it open for further consideration.
The future of the “study group”
The Synod’s ten “study groups” will conclude their work in June. Father Costa indicated that the results are expected to be sent to the episcopal conferences represented at the Synod, in line with the Pope’s intention to promote a broad period of discretion, allowing more time for reflection and not for hasty decisions.
