The Vatican has published the guiding document for the final part of the Synod on Synodality.

Instrumentum Laboris: A Synodal Church in Mission

Instrumentum Laboris aims at answering the question: How to be a synodal Church in mission? It originates from reports from 108 Bishops' Conferences, nine Oriental Catholic Churches, as well as parish priests, and other international ecclesial groups across the globe.

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, S.J., is the Relator General of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. “All these reports show a living Church. They show movement, movements of the Spirit, and a Church on the move,” he commented.

While the guiding document for the first session of the Synod last year covered controversial topics such as women’s admission to the diaconate, priestly celibacy, and LGBTQ outreach, the new document focuses on other issues.

It offers many concrete proposals, including the institution of a “listening and accompaniment ministry,” greater lay involvement in parish life, and more powerful parish councils.

Role of Women in the Church

The document also gives ample space to the reflection on the role of women in the Church.

Reverend Msgr. Riccardo Battocchio, the Special Secretary of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, explained, “The contributions gathered from all phases of the synodal process highlighted the need to give fuller recognition to the charisms, vocation, and role of women in all areas of the life of the Church.”

The document calls for “a wider participation of women in all stages of decision-making processes” along with “wider access to positions of responsibility in Dioceses.”

Emphasis on Transparency and Accountability

Instrumentum Laboris also emphasizes “the demand for transparency and accountability in and by the Church” which has come about because of financial scandals and abuse of minors and vulnerable persons in the Church. This is of utmost importance, since “the lack of transparency and accountability fuels clericalism,” the document states.

Fr. Giacomo Costa, S.J., Special Secretary of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, noted, “Transparency and accountability are crucial, not just in matters of sexual and financial abuse, but in all areas, including pastoral planning and methods of evangelization. It also involves how the Church respects human dignity, such as the working conditions within its institutions, which is an important issue.”

The newly released document will be the subject of prayer, conversation, and discernment by participants in the second session of the Synod of Bishops, to be held throughout the month of October in Rome. Its purpose is to offer guidance to the Pope.

It can be expected that the October Assembly will also produce a final document that will be handed over to the Holy Father for possible exhortation.

Adapted by Jacob Stein

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