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Voices
Gerard O’Connell is America’s Vatican correspondent and author of The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Story of the Conclave That Changed History. He has been covering the Vatican since 1985.
Pope Francis poses with auditors of the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family as he arrives for the afternoon session at the Vatican, Oct. 10 (CNS Photo).
Dispatches
Gerard O’Connell
The announcement is an important affirmation and recognition of the status of the laity and the family in the Vatican structure.
Synod on the Family
Gerard O’Connell
Archbishop Roberto Gonzàlez Nieves of San Juan is convinced the pope will have 'the freedom to follow up' on the questions that have emerged.
SYNODAL BLESSING. Pope Francis begins an event marking the 50th anniversary of the Synod of Bishops in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican on Oct. 17. The pope outlined his vision for a “listening church.”
Signs Of the Times
Gerard O’Connell
In his address to the synod on Oct. 17, Pope Francis emphasized the need to give new life to structures of synodality in the local churches worldwide. He confirmed his intention to promote greater “decentralization” in the church and to bring about “a conversion of the papacy.&rdqu
Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto and Australian Cardinal George Pell talk after an event marking the 50th anniversary of the Synod of Bishops in Paul VI hall at the Vatican, Oct. 17 (CNS Photo / Paul Haring).
Dispatches
Gerard O’Connell
These reports give some interesting insights into the positions taken by the 270 synod fathers, but they do not tell the whole story as the 13 groups submitted more than 500 amendments that can had a determining impact on the final text.
Pope Francis, leaders of the Synod of Bishops on the family and top officials attend event marking 50th anniversary of Synod of Bishops at Vatican, Oc. 17 (CNS Photo / Paul Haring).
Dispatches
Gerard O’Connell
Pope Francis believes in starting processes that can develop over time, and are not caught in the trap of having to get rapid results or immediate solutions.
Synod on the Family
Gerard O’Connell
The synod’s handbook states that “a strong consensus or at least a two-thirds majority among those voting is required” for the approval of the final text.
Synod on the Family
Gerard O’Connell
Cardinal Donald Wuerl has flatly denied the allegations by some of his fellow cardinals and bishops that the fathers attending the synod are “somehow” being manipulated by the pope
Pope Francis delivers his blessing during an event marking the 50th anniversary of the Synod of Bishops in Paul VI hall at the Vatican, Oct. 17 (CNS Photo / Paul Haring).
Synod on the Family
Gerard O’Connell
“A synodal church is a listening church … in which each one has something to learn.”
Archbishop Blase J. Cupich of Chicago arrives for a session of the Synod of Bishops on the family at the Vatican Oct. 14. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
Synod on the Family
Gerard O’Connell
He recalled that “one of the participants said he felt like one of the three kings, he’s going to go back home by a different way. And I think that is true for all of us.” Cupich believes the synod will have been a success if this indeed has been the impact on participants.
Dispatches
Gerard O’Connell
Several fathers believe there could be route between the polarized positions on admitting divorced and remarried Catholics to the Eucharist.