VATICAN CITY. Pope Francis is set to launch a month-long synod at the Vatican on Wednesday, gathering Catholic leaders from across the globe to discuss key issues affecting the Church. While the summit will involve extensive dialogue and voting, any decisions on contentious topics like women’s ordination and blessings for same-sex couples are expected to be postponed until next year.
The synod, which includes cardinals, bishops, and laypeople from over 110 countries, will conclude in late October with a vote on a final document. However, the most debated issues have been referred to study groups, with reports due to Pope Francis, 87, in June 2025. This move has led to the deferral of potential doctrinal changes on the most divisive matters.
In 2023, conservative critics of Pope Francis voiced their concerns ahead of the synod. Five cardinals issued a public letter urging the pontiff to reaffirm the Church’s position against the ordination of women and blessings for same-sex couples. However, this year, opposition has been relatively muted, likely due to the decision to assign these sensitive topics to study groups instead of open discussion during the assembly.
Nevertheless, some progressive Catholics and advocacy groups are expressing frustration. DignityUSA, an organization supporting LGBTQ+ Catholics, criticized the decision to delay action on these issues. Marianne Duddy-Burke, the group’s executive director, remarked, “Any hope of timely attention to the real crises LGBTQ+ people are experiencing has been crushed.”
Concerns Over the Pace of Change
Survivor advocacy groups, including those focused on addressing clergy sexual abuse, have also voiced disappointment with the synod process. Anne Barrett Doyle, a representative of BishopAccountability.org, argued that the final document from the 2023 assembly “woefully under-emphasized” the impact of abuse scandals on the Church’s moral authority.
“The synod feels irrelevant to clergy sex abuse,” Doyle said. “There’s a sense of deep discouragement that this is where we are in 2024.”
The current synod consists of 368 voting members, primarily cardinals and bishops. For the first time, women were granted full voting rights during the 2023 synod, and nearly 60 women will participate again this year. Additionally, 16 “fraternal delegates” from other Christian denominations will attend as observers.
While the final document from this year’s assembly is expected to be presented on October 26, any significant doctrinal changes may not be issued until 2025, after the study groups submit their findings. Synod officials have acknowledged growing frustration with the slow pace of decision-making within the Church. Rev. Timothy Radcliffe, former leader of the Dominican religious order, commented, “Many people, including participants in this synod, have expressed their doubts as to whether anything is going to be achieved.”
The synod, which takes place behind closed doors, remains a critical moment for the Church, even as discussions on some of the most pressing issues are delayed.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
