As the diocesan phase of the synod ended on Aug. 15, America touched base with some well-informed sources for insight into how the synod has gone so far in the Amazon region and Asia.
Synod on Synodality
Posted inFaith, Your Take
Will Pope Francis’ synod change the church? Our readers weigh in.
Bishop Robert W. McElroy of San Diego asked in the July/August issue of America whether synodality could “become a deeper element of Catholic life in the United States?” Our readers had a lot to say.
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
The first phase of the global synod has come to a close. What have we learned?
As the first phase of the worldwide synod concludes, there is great opportunity to consider what graces have been poured out, what we have learned and how we can continue the momentum we have created.
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
I reviewed all of my diocese’s synod responses. Three missing elements could point the way forward for the church.
When we look at what is missing from our synodal processes, we can understand better the tasks and challenges ahead of us.
Posted inDispatches, Faith
In South Africa’s synodal process, lay enthusiasm is often met with gatekeeping from priests
Bruce Botha, S.J., said one notable achievement of the synodal process was that many people who experienced themselves on the margins of the church felt that they were heard.
Posted inFaith, News
Germany rejects Vatican criticism of its Synodal Path
“We will not tire of emphasizing that the church in Germany will not follow a ‘German special path’,” said a joint statement by the Synodal Presidium, the president of the German Bishops’ Conference and ZdK President Irme Stetter-Karp.
Posted inFaith, News
Vatican: German Synodal Path must not create ‘new approaches to doctrine and morals’
“It seems necessary to make it clear that the ‘Synodal Path’ in Germany does not have the power to compel bishops and the faithful to assume new modes of governance and new approaches to doctrine and morals,” the Vatican said.
Posted inFaith, News
Cardinal Kasper calls German synodal reform proposal an ‘outrageous innovation’
The shift of power away from the hierarchy of bishops “will break the neck of the church,” the cardinal said.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
‘God may be calling us’: Meet the women aspiring to become deacons
Many people who oppose the idea of women as deacons fear that the potential candidates aren’t faithful Catholics. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
Posted inFaith, Features
Bishop McElroy: Pope Francis and Vatican II give us a road map for the synodal process
Having begun the process of synodality, we should not let the process go dormant until after the pope’s apostolic exhortation on the universal synod is released in 2024.