The will of the General Secretariat of the Synod seems to be to have a solid and pervasive presence in the processes. Therefore, everything will depend on what the Secretariat requests from the regional and continental bodies.
This week’s agenda
Discussions will commence in the smaller circles on Oct. 23, after Mass and theological reflection. After a review and vote on the letter, a reflective break follows until Oct. 24, with the summary report commission meeting in the afternoon. On Oct. 25, the General Congregation meets to review the summary report outline delivered by the general rapporteur, followed by open discourse in the afternoon and a rosary in the Vatican Gardens.
Amendments to the synthesis report are deliberated on Oct. 26 in smaller circles, and the next synodal process phase is discussed in the General Congregation in the afternoon. Following a break on Oct. 27, the document is reviewed in the hall on Oct. 28, morning and afternoon, prior to approval, concluding with the Te Deum.
Theological deliberations
As the Synod nears conclusion, the pope’s call for confidentiality keeps debates largely internal, yet lacking practical solutions to vital issues like dwindling vocations or faltering faith, even in traditionally Catholic nations. The Synod, on Oct. 20, hosted the second of two events at St. Peter’s Basilica, titled “Without Prejudice to the Primacy of the Chair of Peter: The Exercise of the Petrine Ministry in a Synodal Church,” exploring the balance between papal primacy and Church reform in a synodal context.