The final document of the synod of bishops, published on Saturday, said the church needs “healing, reconciliation and restoration of trust” in connection with the many scandals related to various abuses. It noted that the church must admit its mistakes and ask for forgiveness.
“At every stage of the synodal process, there was a need for healing, reconciliation and restoration of trust within the Church, especially as a result of the many scandals related to various types of abuse,” said the final document that was voted on. the second and last session of the next 16th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
The need to admit mistakes is also discussed. “Following this path is an act of justice, a missionary task of God's people in our world and a gift,” the synod document says.
The conclusions of the Synod of Bishops PAP/EPA/RICCARDO ANTIMIANI were adopted
The Church “must admit its negligence”
It noted that “the crisis of abuse in its various and tragic manifestations has caused untold and often lasting suffering for victims and their communities.” “The Church must listen to the voices of victims of sexual abuse with special attention and sensitivity,” it emphasized. “Listening is a fundamental part of the path of recovery, repentance, justice and reconciliation,” says another conclusion of the meeting.
It was also recognized that the church “must admit its negligence, humbly ask for forgiveness, care for the victims, equip itself with preventive tools, and strive to restore mutual trust in God.”
The text emphasizes that “the church of the poor is called, with the poor who often form the majority of the faithful and listen to them”. It also calls for “spiritual renewal and structural reforms to make the church more participatory and missionary.”
Discussion of the 16th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops PAP/EPA/RICCARDO ANTIMIANI
In conclusion, “the idea that a just peace can be achieved by force of arms”
One of the points reads: “We bear witness to the Gospel when we strive to live relationships that respect the dignity and reciprocity of men and women. Repeated expressions of pain and suffering by women from every region and continent, both sleeping and Holy shit, show me how long we can't do this.”
Events that are now covering the whole world were noted: wars, armed conflicts and “the idea that a just peace can be achieved by force of arms.” In addition, gender inequality, racism, division into classes, discrimination against the disabled, violation of minority rights and unwillingness to accept immigrants are discussed.
All 155 points of the synod's final document were adopted by the majority of votes. The lowest number of votes – 258 “for” and 97 “against” the item “The issue of women's access to diaconate service remains open. Consideration of this issue should be continued.”
At the synod, the prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, explained that work is underway to give more space and rights to women in the Church. He also admitted that according to Pope Francis, the situation is not yet “ripe” for the diaconate of women.
Francis departs from a previous experience
In his final speech on Saturday evening, the Pope announced that after the synod he did not intend to issue an apostolic exhortation to conclude the trial, which was the previous practice. Francis said all that is needed is a final document to be adopted, which contains “very specific instructions” and is “a gift to all the people of God”. These instructions, he noted, “are instructions for the mission of the Church in different continents, in different contexts.”
The Synod on Synodality, which began at the local level in October 2021, was organized under the motto “Towards a Synodical Church: Union, Participation and Mission”.
This year, the Polish bishops were represented by Metropolitan Archbishop of Warmia, Archbishop Józef Gorzynski, Bishop of Gliwice Sławomir Oder and Auxiliary Bishop of Warsaw-Prague Jacek Grzybowski. Compared to the session a year ago, the entire delegation was changed.
Cardinal Grzegorz Rys, Metropolitan Archbishop of Łódź, also took part in the negotiations on the nomination of the Pope. The prefect of the Dicastery of the Ministry of Mercy, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, was also present. The secular representative of Europe was professor Alexander Banka.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/RICCARDO ANTIMIANI
