It is an unprecedented decision in the Catholic Church, as until now only the bishops could vote on the final document.
Pope Francis has decided, for the first time, to give a voice and voice to women and laity (men and women) elected to participate in the next Synod of Bishops. This is an unprecedented decision in the Catholic Church, as until now only the bishops could vote on the final document.
For decades, women have demanded the right to vote in synods, the next of which is scheduled for October. The pope thus reflects his desire to give more responsibility to women and laity in decision-making in the Catholic Church.
In addition, the pope has removed the figure of the auditors in the assembly and added in their place “another 70 members, not bishops, representing other believers” and among them “priests, ordained persons, deacons or laity”. believers and those who come from the local Churches”.
The organizers of the Synod’s Ordinary General Assembly hope that half of these new members – who will be chosen by the Pope from a list of 140 people declared at the international meetings of the Episcopal Conferences and the Assembly of Patriarchs of the Eastern -catholic churches – are women.
Since the Second Vatican Council, the meetings of the 1960s that modernized the Church, the popes have called the world’s bishops to Rome for a few weeks to discuss specific issues. At the end of the meetings, the bishops vote on concrete proposals and submit them to the Pope, who prepares a document that takes their views into account. Until now, only men were allowed to vote.
Source: EITB
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
