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Facts, anecdotes, and analysis from the first week of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican.
The Synod on Synodality’s official regulations no longer allow Synod delegates to share their personal interventions with the public.
During the first full day of work Oct. 5, participants met in small groups of about 12 people where they received a homework assignment.
The cardinal was speaking at a conference in Rome on Oct. 3 on the theme “the synodal Babel” to discuss the main points of contention raised by the synod.
Pointing synod delegates to texts by St. Basil on the Holy Spirit, the pope emphasized the importance of listening over speaking.
On its opening day, synod leaders also highlighted the many ways in which the current gathering breaks the mold of past Synods of Bishops.
Just days before the Synod on Synodality kicked off its first round of meetings at the Vatican, a letter from Cardinal Joseph Zen was leaked to media.
Six cardinals who are participating in this month’s Synod on Synodality — and five who are not — told CNA their ideas of and expectations for the assembly.
Czech Cardinal Dominik Duka had submitted to the Vatican a request for pastoral guidance.
The pope’s responses, originally issued July 11, responded to requests for doctrinal clarification on the development of doctrine, same-sex unions, and more.
The prelates, who also issued a “Notification to Christ’s Faithful,” hail from the diverse ecclesiastical landscapes of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Five cardinals have sent a set of questions known as “dubia” to Pope Francis to express their concerns and seek clarification on points of doctrine and discipline.
Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández predicts that “those who expect big changes” to come out of this month’s Synod of Bishops will be “disappointed.”
The theme of the event in the Paul VI Audience Hall will be “Let us learn from boys and girls.”
Food waste, the pope said, “shows an arrogant disregard for everything that, in social and human terms, lies behind food production.”
Pope Francis said his father made him go to the bullied child’s home to apologize.
The psychologist said that “celibacy is not a direct cause of abuse; what can become a risk factor is a ministry poorly lived and not fully accepted.”
Episcopal mottos are selected when a Catholic priest is consecrated as a bishop and are traditionally found at the base of his coat of arms.
This popular devotion traces its origins to Germany, in 1612, when a priest ministered to a couple in a difficult marriage.
Pope Francis’ new document on the environment will be, he said, “a look at what has happened and say what needs to be done,” Vatican News reported.