Synod of Bishops in the Catholic Church

Last updated

In the Catholic Church, the Synod of Bishops, considered as an advisory body for the pope, is one of the ways in which the bishops render cooperative assistance to him in exercising his office. [1] It is described in the 1983 Code of Canon Law as "a group of bishops who have been chosen from different regions of the world and meet at fixed times to foster closer unity between the Roman Pontiff and bishops, to assist the Roman Pontiff with their counsel in the preservation and growth of faith and morals and in the observance and strengthening of ecclesiastical discipline, and to consider questions pertaining to the activity of the Church in the world." [2]

In addition, each patriarchal church and each major archiepiscopal church within the Catholic Church has its own synod of bishops. Unlike the body that normally assists the pope only by offering advice, these synods of bishops are competent, and exclusively so, to make laws for the entire sui iuris church that each governs. [3] The Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches makes mention 115 times of the "synod of bishops" in this sense and only once (canon 46) mentions the synod of bishops that the pope convokes.

These synods of bishops are not what in Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches are called Holy Synods. The latter concept corresponds instead to that of the standing synod of these Catholic synods of bishops, which consists of the patriarch or major archbishop and four bishops appointed for a five-year term. Of the four, three are elected by the church's synod of bishops and one is appointed by the patriarch or major archbishop, while another four are designated in the same way to replace any member who is impeded. [4] A meeting of a whole synod of bishops is called when a decision is required on a question that only the synod of bishops is authorized to decide, or when the patriarch or major archbishop, with the agreement of the standing synod, judges it to be necessary, or when at least one third of the bishops request that it be held to consider some specific matter. In addition, the individual canon law of some patriarchal and major archiepiscopal churches requires that the synod of bishops be convoked at predetermined intervals. [5]

The papal Synod of Bishops is permanent, even when not in session. [6] [7] Periodically, it holds assemblies, which are either general, if called to consider matters directly concerning the universal Church, or special, if called for problems of a particular geographical area. [8] The general assemblies are either ordinary (held at fixed intervals) or extraordinary (held to treat of some urgent matter). [9]

The papal Synod of Bishops also has a permanent secretariat [10] headquartered in Rome but not part of the Roman Curia. [11] Pope Francis greatly increased both the authority and influence of the Synod in September 2018. [12]

Establishment and nature

In 1959, three years before the Second Vatican Council began, Cardinal Silvio Oddi proposed a permanent consultative body of bishops drawn from many parts of the world to discuss major concerns of the Church, and Cardinal Bernardus Johannes Alfrink proposed a permanent council of specialized bishops to legislate for the Church in union with the Pope and the cardinals. [13]

Within the framework of the Council itself, the first to put forward "the idea of a 'permanent synod of bishops' surrounding the pope" was Melkite Patriarch Maximos IV. [14] In 1963, during the third session of the Council, he proposed that "a relatively small group of bishops [...] with rotating membership would always be in session in Rome to assist the pope. They would work with the pope in collegial fashion". [15] The model he proposed was what the 1990 Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches was to call the synod of bishops, [3] but that he himself called the holy synod of his sui iuris church, [14] a collegial body comprising both the patriarch and other bishops.[ citation needed ]

On 14 September 1965, at the opening of the fourth and final session of the Council, Pope Paul VI announced that on the following day he was to establish the Synod of Bishops in a form that "could hardly have been further from what Maximos had proposed in the previous year". [16] He noted that "the Ecumenical Council ... gave Us the idea of permanently establishing a special Council of bishops, with the aim of providing for a continuance after the Council of the great abundance of benefits that We have been so happy to see flow to the Christian people during the time of the Council as a result of Our close collaboration with the bishops." [17] The Pope sought "to make ever greater use of the bishops' assistance in providing for the good of the universal Church" and to enjoy "the consolation of their presence, the help of their wisdom and experience, the support of their counsel, and the voice of their authority." [17] This preempted action by the Council, and made the Synod "immediately and directly" subject to papal authority, ensuring that it would be strictly an advisory body. [18] The Synod of the Bishops does not constitute collegial governance of the Church, but represents a collaboration with the Pope: it discusses topics proposed to it and makes recommendations, but does not settle questions or issue decrees, unless the Pope grants it deliberative power in certain cases. [19]

Collegial governance under Pope Francis

From the beginning of his papacy, Pope Francis expressed his desire to strengthen the collegial aspects of the Church's governance, [20] and he argued for more recognition of charismatic gifts in the Church. [21] He has held major synods on the topics of the family (2014), on youth (2018), and on the Church in the Pan-Amazon region (2019). On September 15, 2018, Francis approved the new apostolic constitution Episcopalis communio (Episcopal Communion). [12] [22] The constitution states that the Synod's final document, if approved by the members with "moral unanimity" and, if the Pope has "granted deliberative power to the Synod Assembly", it becomes part of the Ordinary Magisterium of Catholic teaching, "once it has been ratified and promulgated by him". [23] The new constitution also provides for the laity to send their contributions directly to the synod's secretary general. [24] [22] Some analysts surmise that the greatest achievement of Francis' papacy may be his creation of a more synodal Catholic church, where synods serve as a platform for open and energetic debate. [25]

On 6 February 2021, Pope Francis appointed Nathalie Becquart an undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops, [26] making her the first woman to have the right to vote in the Synod of Bishops. [27]

On April 26 2023, Pope Francis announced that women would be allowed to vote at the Sixteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, [28] marking the first time women were allowed to vote at any Synod of Bishops. [29]

Secretariat and Council

The Synod of the Bishops has its own permanent general secretariat, composed of the General Secretary and a fifteen-member council, twelve of whom are elected by each general assembly and three are appointed by the Pope. The secretariat assists in preparing the apostolic exhortation which the Pope publishes on the basis of the recommendations of each general assembly, and it prepares the next assembly. Their function ceases with the start of a new general assembly. A similar function is performed by specific special councils elected by the special assemblies. [30] [31] [11]

Secretaries-General of the Synod of Bishops

Powers of the pope

The pope convokes the Synod of Bishops; ratifies the election of participants; determines the topic of discussion; distributes the material for discussion; sets the agenda; and presides either personally or through delegates. [34]

The pope may also appoint participants of his own choosing, their number limited to 15% of the other delegates who participate either ex officio or as elected representatives of episcopal conferences or the Union of Superiors General. [35]

Assemblies

The procedures followed at assemblies of the Synod of the Bishops are indicated in the Order of the Synod of Bishops, originally issued in 1969, the latest revision of which was published on 29 September 2006. [36]

Ordinary general assemblies

In preparation for each ordinary general assembly, episcopal conferences are asked to suggest up to three themes for discussion. After the secretariat has studied those proposals, the Pope, generally on the basis of the secretariat's recommendation, establishes the topic and agenda of the assembly. Criteria for the choice of the topic are: 1) that it be of universal, not merely regional, interest; 2) that it be pastoral in character with a firm doctrinal base; 3) that it be contemporary and urgent enough to stir up "new energies and movements in the church towards growth"; 4) that it can be addressed within the allotted time. [31] [37]

Most participants in the assembly, called Synodal fathers, are elected by the bishops' conferences: one in the case of a conference with no more than 25 members, two if a conference has up to 50 members, three from a conference with up to 100 members, and four from a larger conference. [38] Other representative participants include heads of Eastern Catholic Churches, ten members of religious institutes elected by the Union of Superiors General, and the cardinals who head the Roman Congregations and some other departments of the Roman Curia. [39] Dozens more participate by virtue of synodal functions assigned by the Holy See or as papal appointees, mostly cardinals and other curiate or diocesan prelates.[ citation needed ]

Fraternal delegates from several Orthodox and Protestant churches (7 each in 2015) have observer status. [40]

The secretariat, which includes various other clerical and lay experts, prepares a preliminary outline document ( Lineamenta ) which is distributed to all concerned for comment. Based on this feedback, a working document ( instrumentum laboris ) is prepared and distributed to all churches. This document is the basis for discussions at the synod. The assembly examines proposals (propositiones) put forward by its members and passes to the Pope those that receive the assembly's approval. The Pope uses these as the basis for a papal post-synodal apostolic exhortation. [41]

The first general assemblies attempted to draw up their own concluding documents, but found that the time available was insufficient for doing so properly.[ citation needed ]

Extraordinary general assemblies

In view of the greater urgency that justify their convocation, the preparation of extraordinary general assemblies of the Synod of the Bishops is shorter. The participants also are fewer, consisting of the heads of Eastern Catholic Churches, the presidents (only) of episcopal conferences, three members (not ten) of religious institutes and the cardinals who head dicasteries of the Roman Curia. [42]

As of October 2014, there have been three such assemblies, in 1969, 1985, [43] and 2014.[ citation needed ] The 1985 assembly commemorated the twentieth anniversary of the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council. [43]

Special assemblies

Special assemblies of the Synod of the Bishops are limited to a certain geographical area, a country, region, or continent. Their participants, chosen in line with the rules for extraordinary general assemblies, are limited to those directly involved in that geographical area.[ citation needed ]

Special assemblies have been held for Africa (twice), America, Asia, Europe (twice), Oceania, the Middle East, [44] [45] Lebanon, and the Netherlands. Another is planned for the Amazon region.[ citation needed ]

Chronology

The Synod of the Bishops has held the following assemblies: [7] [46]

Ordinary General

YearNumberTopicConcluding document or apostolic exhortation
1967IPreserving and Strengthening the Catholic FaithNone. Called for the creation of an International Theological Commission and a revision of the 1917 Code of Canon Law.
1971II The Ministerial Priesthood and Justice in the World Justice in the World [47] [48]
1974IIIEvangelization in the Modern World Evangelii nuntiandi (apostolic exhortation) [49] [a]
1977IVCatechesis in Our Time Catechesi Tradendae (apostolic exhortation) [52]
1980VThe Christian Family Familiaris consortio (apostolic exhortation) [53] [54]
1983VIPenance and Reconciliation in the Mission of the Church Reconciliatio et paenitentia (apostolic exhortation) [55]
1987VIIThe Vocation and Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World Christifideles laici (apostolic exhortation) [56]
1990VIIIThe Formation of Priests in Circumstances of the Present Day Pastores dabo vobis (apostolic exhortation) [57]
1994IXThe Consecrated Life and its Role in the Church and in the World Vita consecrata [58]
2001XThe Bishop: Servant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Hope of the WorldPastores gregis (apostolic exhortation) [59]
2005XIThe Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church Sacramentum caritatis (apostolic exhortation) [60]
2008XIIThe Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church Verbum Domini (apostolic exhortation) [61]
2012XIII The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith Evangelii gaudium (apostolic exhortation) [62]
2015XIV The Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and in the Contemporary World Amoris laetitia (apostolic exhortation) [63]
2018XV Young People, Faith, and Vocational Discernment Christus Vivit (apostolic exhortation) [64]
2021-24XVI For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission Final Document of the XVI Synod of Bishops

Extraordinary General

YearNumberTopicConcluding document or apostolic exhortation
1969I Cooperation between the Holy See and the Episcopal Conferences [65]
1985II The Twentieth Anniversary of the Conclusion of the Second Vatican Council [65] The Church, in the Word of God, Celebrates the Mysteries of Christ for the Salvation of the World, Rome
2014III The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization [65] *Relatio Synodi of the III Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops: "Pastoral Challenges to the Family in the Context of Evangelization", Rome

Special

YearTopicConcluding document or apostolic exhortation
1980NetherlandsJohn Paul II, Pope (30 January 1980), Conclusions of the Special Synod of the Bishops of the Netherlands, Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
1991Europe
1994Africa——— (14 September 1995), Ecclesia in Africa (Apostolic exhortation), Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
1995Lebanon——— (10 May 1997), Ecclesia in Libanon (Apostolic exhortation), Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
1997America——— (22 November 1999), Ecclesia in America (Apostolic exhortation), Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
1998Asia [b] ——— (6 November 1999), Ecclesia in Asia (Apostolic exhortation), Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
1998Oceania——— (6 November 1999), Ecclesia in Oceania (Apostolic exhortation), Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
1999Europe——— (28 June 2003), Ecclesia in Europa (Apostolic exhortation), Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
2009AfricaBenedict XVI, Pope (19 November 2011), Africae munus (Apostolic exhortation), Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
2010Middle East——— (9 September 2012), Ecclesia in Medio Oriente (Apostolic exhortation), Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
2019 Pan-Amazon region [67] [68] Francis, Pope (2 February 2020), Querida Amazonia (Apostolic exhortation), Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ The Synod participants, divided in interests and philosophies, had problems producing a report of their discussions to submit to Pope Paul, [50] and he disputed many of their contributions. [51]
  2. ↑ The synod devoted to Asia provoked a very critical response from the bishops of Japan. [66]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">College of Cardinals</span> Body of all cardinals of the Catholic Church

The College of Cardinals, more formally called the Sacred College of Cardinals, is the body of all cardinals of the Catholic Church. As of 28 October 2024, there are 233 cardinals, of whom 121 are eligible to vote in a conclave to elect a new pope. Cardinals are appointed by the pope for life but eligibility to vote ceases at the age of 80.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catholic Church</span> Christian church based in Rome

The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.28 to 1.39 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2024. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions and has played a prominent role in the history and development of Western civilization. The church consists of 24 sui iuris churches, including the Latin Church and 23 Eastern Catholic Churches, which comprise almost 3,500 dioceses and eparchies around the world. The pope, who is the bishop of Rome, is the chief pastor of the church. The Diocese of Rome, known as the Holy See, is the central governing authority of the church. The administrative body of the Holy See, the Roman Curia, has its principal offices in Vatican City, which is a small, independent city-state and enclave within the city of Rome, of which the pope is head of state.

The hierarchy of the Catholic Church consists of its bishops, priests, and deacons. In the ecclesiological sense of the term, "hierarchy" strictly means the "holy ordering" of the church, the Body of Christ, so to respect the diversity of gifts and ministries necessary for genuine unity.

The Secretariat of State is the oldest dicastery in the Roman Curia, the central papal governing bureaucracy of the Catholic Church. It is headed by the Cardinal Secretary of State and performs all the political and diplomatic functions of the Holy See. The Secretariat is divided into three sections: the Section for General Affairs, the Section for Relations with States, and, since 2017, the Section for Diplomatic Staff.

Romano Pontifici eligendo was the apostolic constitution governing the election of popes that was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on 1 October 1975. It instituted a number of far-reaching reforms in the process of electing popes. It set the maximum number of electors at 120 and restated in a more formal context the rule he had already instituted that cardinals over the age of 80 not participate in electing a pope.

An episcopal conference, often also called a bishops’ conference or conference of bishops, is an official assembly of the bishops of the Catholic Church in a given territory. Episcopal conferences have long existed as informal entities. The first assembly of bishops to meet regularly, with its own legal structure and ecclesial leadership function, is the Swiss Bishops' Conference, which was founded in 1863. More than forty episcopal conferences existed before the Second Vatican Council. Their status was confirmed by the Second Vatican Council and further defined by Pope Paul VI's 1966 motu proprio, Ecclesiae sanctae.

The papal household or pontifical household, called until 1968 the Papal Court, consists of dignitaries who assist the pope in carrying out particular ceremonies of either a religious or a civil character.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ignatius Gabriel I Tappouni</span> Head of the Syriac Catholic Church from 1929 to 1968

Mar Ignatius Gabriel I Tappouni was a leading prelate of the Syriac Catholic Church. He served as Patriarch of Antioch from 1929 to 1968, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1935.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bishops in the Catholic Church</span> Ordained ministers of the Catholic Church

In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of holy orders and is responsible for teaching doctrine, governing Catholics in his jurisdiction, sanctifying the world and representing the Church. Catholics trace the origins of the office of bishop to the apostles, who it is believed were endowed with a special charism and office by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Catholics believe this special charism and office has been transmitted through an unbroken succession of bishops by the laying on of hands in the sacrament of holy orders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mariological papal documents</span> Papal decrees and doctrines concerning the Virgin Mary

Mariological papal documents have been a major force that has shaped Roman Catholic Mariology over the centuries. Mariology is developed by theologians on the basis not only of Scripture and Tradition but also of the sensus fidei of the faithful as a whole, "from the bishops to the last of the faithful", and papal documents have recorded those developments, defining Marian dogmas, spreading doctrines and encouraging devotions within the Catholic Church.

1983 <i>Code of Canon Law</i> 1983 codification of canonical legislation for the Latin Catholic Church

The 1983 Code of Canon Law, also called the Johanno-Pauline Code, is the "fundamental body of ecclesiastical laws for the Latin Church". It is the second and current comprehensive codification of canonical legislation for the Latin Church of the Catholic Church. The 1983 Code of Canon Law was promulgated on 25 January 1983 by John Paul II and took legal effect on the First Sunday of Advent 1983. It replaced the 1917 Code of Canon Law which had been promulgated by Benedict XV on 27 May 1917.

Pope Paul VI's reform of the Roman Curia was accomplished through a series of decrees beginning in 1964, principally through the apostolic constitution Regimini Ecclesiae universae issued on 15 August 1967.

An apostolic exhortation is a magisterial document written by the pope. Some experts regard it as third in importance among papal documents, after apostolic constitutions and encyclicals. Exhortations generally encourage a particular virtue or activity. Apostolic exhortations are frequently issued following a Synod of Bishops, in which case they are known as post-synodal apostolic exhortations. They do not define Church doctrine and are not considered legislative.

The history of the Roman Curia, the administrative apparatus responsible for managing the affairs of the Holy See and the Catholic Church, can be traced to the 11th century when informal methods of administration began to take on a more organized structure and eventually a bureaucratic form. The Curia has undergone a series of renewals and reforms, including a major overhaul following the loss of the Papal States, which fundamentally altered the range and nature of the Curia's responsibilities, removing many of an entirely secular nature.

Evangelii nuntiandi is an apostolic exhortation issued on 8 December 1975 by Pope Paul VI on the theme of Catholic evangelization. The title, taken from the opening words of the original Latin text, means "in proclaiming the Gospel". It affirms the role of every Christian, not only ordained ministers, priests, and deacons, or religious, or professional church staff, in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The new evangelization is the particular process by which baptized members of the Catholic Church express the general Christian call to evangelization.

The Catholic Church utilizes the oldest continuously functioning legal system in the West, much later than Roman law but predating the evolution of modern European civil law traditions. The history of Latin canon law can be divided into four periods: the jus antiquum, the jus novum, the jus novissimum and the Code of Canon Law. In relation to the Code, history can be divided into the jus vetus and the jus novum. Eastern canon law developed separately.

In the Catholic Church, collegiality refers to "the Pope governing the Church in collaboration with the bishops of the local Churches, respecting their proper autonomy." In the early church the popes sometimes exercised moral authority rather than administrative power, and that authority was not exercised extremely often; regional churches elected their own bishops, resolved disputes in local synods, and only felt the need to appeal to the Pope under special circumstances.

Christus vivit is a post-synodal apostolic exhortation of Pope Francis, written in response to the Fifteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, on young people, faith and vocational discernment, held from 3 to 28 October 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sixteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops</span> Assembly of Bishops in Synod 2023-24

The 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, commonly referred to as the Synod on Synodality, was a Synod of Bishops of the Catholic Church which concluded 27 October 2024 and has as its theme "For a synodal Church: communion, participation and mission". It has been described as the culmination of Pope Francis's papacy and the most important event in the Church since the Second Vatican Council.

References

Citations

  1. ↑ Code of Canon Law, canon 334
  2. ↑ CIC 1983, Canon 342].
  3. 1 2 Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, canon 110
  4. ↑ Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, canon 115
  5. ↑ Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, canon 106
  6. ↑ Paul VI 1965, I.
  7. 1 2 "Summary of the synod assemblies", Synodal Information, Vatican City: General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, 15 September 2007.
  8. ↑ CIC 1983, Canon 345.
  9. ↑ CIC 1983, Canon 346.
  10. ↑ CIC 1983, Canon 348.
  11. 1 2 Okoye 2011, p. 17.
  12. 1 2 Pentin, Edward (18 September 2018). "Pope Francis Boosts Authority of the Synod of Bishops". National Catholic Register. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  13. ↑ "The Synod of Bishops: An Introduction". Vatican City. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  14. 1 2 The Melkite Church at the Council: Discourses and Memoranda of Patriarch Maximos IV and of the Hierarchs of His Church at the Second Vatican Council. Introduction by Archimandrite Robert F. Taft. Preface by Maximos IV (second-last page of the Preface)
  15. ↑ John W. O'Malley. What Happened at Vatican II . Harvard University Press; May 2010. ISBN   978-0-674-04749-5. p. 191.
  16. ↑ John W. O'Malley. What Happened at Vatican II . Harvard University Press; May 2010. ISBN   978-0-674-04749-5. p. 253.
  17. 1 2 Paul VI 1965, Introduction.
  18. ↑ O'Malley S. J., John W. (2008), What Happened at Vatican II (Kindle ed.), Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, loc. 5037-5058, ISBN   978-0-674-03169-2, Whatever the merits of Apostolica Sollicitudo, it was an expression of papal primacy, not of collegiality, a word never mentioned in the text. It was a preemptive strike by the center.
  19. ↑ CIC 1983, Canon 343.
  20. ↑ "Pope says structures for collaboration, collegiality need strengthening". National Catholic Reporter. 13 June 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  21. ↑ "Pope's Address to Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith". Zenit. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  22. 1 2 Brockhaus, Hannah (18 September 2018). "Pope Francis approves new constitution for Synod of Bishops". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  23. ↑ Francis 2018, Art. 18.
  24. ↑ Francis 2018, Art. 7.
  25. ↑ Mitchell, Charlotte. "Pope Francis, everyman pontiff: Profile". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  26. ↑ "Resignations and Appointments, 06.02.2021" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 6 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  27. ↑ "Nathalie Becquart, première femme à avoir le droit de vote au synode des évêques". Le Monde (in French). 6 February 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  28. ↑ Povoledo, Elisabetta (26 April 2023). "Pope Will Allow Women to Vote at Meeting of Bishops". New York Times. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  29. ↑ Pullella, Philip (26 April 2023). "Pope allows women to vote at bishops meeting for first time" – via www.reuters.com.
  30. ↑ CIC 1983, Canon 348 §1.
  31. 1 2 Notes on the Synodal Process, Vatican City: General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, 15 September 2007.
  32. 1 2 Coday, Denis (21 September 2013). "Vatican announces curial appointments". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  33. 1 2 "Resignations and Appointments, 16.09.2020" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  34. ↑ Paul VI 1965, III.
  35. ↑ Paul VI 1965, X.
  36. ↑ Ordo Synodi Episcoporum [The order of the Synod of Bishops], Vatican City: General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, 15 September 2007.
  37. ↑ Hinze, Bradford E (2006), Practices of dialogue in the Roman Catholic Church, Continuum, p. 161, ISBN   978-0-8264-1721-3 .
  38. ↑ Paul VI 1965, VIII.
  39. ↑ Paul VI 1965, V.
  40. ↑ Scammell, Rosie (22 October 2015). "Who's that bright Anglican outsider at Vatican bishops' synod?". National Catholic Reporter. Religion News Service. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  41. ↑ Okoye 2011, pp. 19–21.
  42. ↑ Paul VI 1965, VI.
  43. 1 2 The Final Report of the 1985 Extraordinary Synod, Eternal Word Television Network, Inc., accessed 11 June 2022
  44. ↑ Dietmar W. Winkler (ed.): Middle Eastern Christians Facing Challenges. Reflections on the Special Synod for the Middle East. Gorgias Press, Piscataway, NJ, 2019.
  45. ↑ Dietmar W. Winkler (ed.): Towards a Culture of Co-Existence in Pluralistic Societies. Gorgias Press, Piscataway, NJ, 2020.
  46. ↑ Okoye 2011, pp. 18–19.
  47. ↑ Justice in the World, Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
  48. ↑ Fiske, Edward B. (4 November 1971). "Synod of Bishops Affirms Celibacy Rule for Priests". The New York Times . Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  49. ↑ Pope Paul VI (8 December 1975), Evangelii nuntiandi (Apostolic exhortation), Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
  50. ↑ Shenker, Israel (23 October 1974). "Bishops Reject Synod Report As Largely Lacking Substance". New York Times. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  51. ↑ "The Bishops Rebuffed". The New York Times . 28 October 1974. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  52. ↑ Pope John Paul II, Catechesi tradendae (Apostolic exhortation), Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
  53. ↑ Pope John Paul II (22 November 1981), Familiaris consortio (Apostolic exhortation), Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
  54. ↑ O'Riordan, Seán (1980). "The Synod on the Family, 1980". The Furrow. 31 (12): 759–777. JSTOR   27661042.
  55. ↑ Pope John Paul II (2 December 1984), Reconciliatio et paenitentia (Apostolic exhortation), Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
  56. ↑ Pope John Paul II (30 December 1988), Christifideles laici (Apostolic exhortation), Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
  57. ↑ Pope John Paul II (25 March 1992), Pastores dabo vobis (Apostolic exhortation), Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
  58. ↑ Pope John Paul II (25 March 1996), Vita consecrata (Apostolic exhortation), Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
  59. ↑ Pope John Paul II (16 October 2003), Pastores gregis (Apostolic exhortation), Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
  60. ↑ Pope Benedict XVI (22 February 2007), Sacramentum caritatis (Apostolic exhortation), Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
  61. ↑ Pope Benedict XVI (30 September 2010), Verbum Domini (Apostolic exhortation), Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
  62. ↑ Pope Francis (24 November 2013), Evangelii gaudium (Apostolic exhortation), Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
  63. ↑ Pope Francis (19 March 2016), Amoris laetitia: on love in the family (PDF) (Apostolic exhortation), Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, ISBN   978-88-209-9786-1
  64. ↑ Francis, Pope (25 March 2019), Christus Vivit (Apostolic exhortation), Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
  65. 1 2 3 Dias, Elizabeth (8 October 2013). "Pope Francis Calls Extraordinary Synod on Family and Marriage". Time Magazine. Retrieved 8 October 2013. ...the Vatican announced [...] Pope Francis will host an Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to discuss [...] 'The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization.' The meeting will take place in Rome, October 5–14, 2014...
  66. ↑ Allen, John L. Jr. (19 December 2018). "When pope goes to Japan, there'll be a big dog that won't bark". Crux. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  67. ↑ San Martín, Inés (15 October 2017). "Pope announces Synod of Bishops for Pan-Amazon region". CRUX. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  68. ↑ Brockhaus, Hannah (15 October 2017). "Pope announces special 2019 Synod of Bishops on South American region". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 18 October 2017.

Sources