Synod Document Proposes Structural and Governances Reforms in the Church

Vatican, October 27, 2024 (CCBI): The recently concluded Synod on Synodality has marked a new phase in the Catholic Church's approach to reform, as Pope Francis adopted its final document directly without the traditional apostolic exhortation. This 52-page document, supported by the 355 synod participants, includes far-reaching proposals aimed at renewing the Church, such as expanding women's roles, increasing lay involvement in Church governance, and advocating for significant structural changes.

Key proposals include: 1. Structural and Governance Reforms: The document recommends strengthening parish and diocesan pastoral councils, increasing ecclesiastical assemblies at various Church levels, and enhancing ecumenical efforts. It also introduces the concept of synodal authority, acknowledging the importance of episcopal decision-making while proposing revisions to canon law to clarify roles within a more synodal structure.

2. Women’s Leadership: The document states that there are no doctrinal reasons to restrict women from assuming leadership roles, leaving the question of women’s access to the diaconate open for further discernment. Additionally, it calls for enhanced female participation in clergy formation and decision-making.

3. Lay Participation: The document aims to bolster lay involvement at every phase of Church governance. Proposals include increasing lay presence in synodal assemblies, expanding roles in diocesan leadership, and reforming bishop selection processes to incorporate lay input.

4. Accountability and Transparency: The document advocates for greater financial transparency and reinforced abuse prevention protocols, underscoring the need for trust-building and reconciliation.

As the implementation phase begins, the focus will shift towards embedding synodality as a "constitutive dimension of the Church," a significant departure from past practices that Pope Francis has indicated will continue to shape the Church’s governance in the years to come.

The Final Document calls for a revision of the church's Code of Canon Law from a "synodal perspective," and in particular, a clarification of the distinctions between consultative and deliberative involvement in decision-making.

In addition, the synod recommends the "establishment everywhere" of finance councils, involvement of laity in pastoral and financial planning, preparation of an audited annual report for both financial matters and safeguarding policies and performance evaluations of all ministers and ministries.

The text also highlights the role of participatory bodies — such as diocesan synods, presbyteral, diocesan and parish pastoral councils. While many of the proposals are already mandated in U.S. and other Western dioceses, they have not been universally adopted by the global church.

"A synodal church is based upon the existence, efficiency and effective vitality of these participatory bodies, not merely the nominal existence of them," the document states.

On the role of episcopal conferences, the synod declares that such bodies are fruitful in best identifying how to enculturate the faith and that local churches must have the ability to move at different paces.

By Dr. Christopher Vimalraj