Bishops process into St. Peter’s Basilica for the closing Mass of the first assembly of the Synod on Synodality on Oct. 29, 2023. / Credit: Vatican Media
Vatican City, Oct 1, 2024 / 13:05 pm (CNA).
As the Church kicks off the second session of the Synod on Synodality this week, it’s helpful to understand some key terms and concepts. This glossary aims to clarify important vocabulary related to the synod.
What is a synod?
A synod is traditionally a meeting of bishops gathered to discuss a theological or pastorally significant topic. The word “synod” comes from a Greek term meaning “to meet” or “to walk together” (“syn” = together; “hodos” = way or journey). From the first centuries, the term came to denote ecclesial assemblies of varying size and importance.
The Synod of Bishops was created in 1965 by Pope Paul VI toward the end of the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) to foster a close union and collaboration between the pope and the bishops of the whole world and provide information and reflection on questions and situations touching upon the internal life of the Church and its necessary activity in the world of today.
Types of synods
Pope Paul VI established three types of synods:
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Ordinary — for matters concerning the good of the universal Church
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Extraordinary — for matters of pressing concern to the Church
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Special — focused chiefly on the concerns of a region or continent
Over the years, there have been 15 ordinary sessions, from 1967 to 2018; three extraordinary sessions, in 1969, 1985, and 2014; and 11 special synods, most recently in 2019, looking at the Pan-Amazonian region.
The synod functioned under Paul VI’s 1965 establishing decree, with some minor modifications under Pope John Paul II, until the current pontificate. The current two-part Synod on Synodality is considered the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
Key terms
accountability The practice of taking responsibility for one’s actions and decisions, and being able to explain them.
co-responsibility The shared responsibility of all baptized members in the Church’s mission. A central theme in the synodal discussions was clarified in the 2024 synod document to distinguish between roles flowing from holy orders and those arising from baptism.
consensus In the context of the synod, consensus doesn’t mean uniformity or democratic majority but refers to the process of listening to one another in an environment of prayer and inner freedom.
consultation A process of listening, especially as it relates to hearing from the faithful and listening to their perspectives on matters of the Christian life, before undertaking a decision. According to the Synod on Synodality organizers, “This current synod seeks to broaden the experience of ‘consultation’ to move toward a more synodal Church that more fully listens to and engages the entire people of God.”
discernment The process of distinguishing or deciding between options, guided by the Holy Spirit. The synod organizers have stressed: “We listen to each other in order to discern what God is saying to all of us.”
ecumenical dialogue The relationship between the Catholic Church and other Christian churches in pursuit of full, visible unity.
facilitator A new role introduced in the Synod on Synodality. Facilitators are experienced individuals tasked with aiding the work in various moments of the assembly.
fraternal delegates Representatives from other Christian churches and ecclesial communities invited to participate in the synod as observers.
general congregation The assembly where all delegates, including the pope, participate in discussions.
Instrumentum Laboris Latin for “working document.” It serves as the basis for discussions during the synod. For the 2024 session, the second Instrumentum Laboris was published on July 9, 2024, and is 32 pages long. It clarified the Holy Father’s expressed desire for the deliberations of the synod to be more focused on concrete proposals for synodality rather than controversial topics.
living tradition The set of revealed truths — apostolic tradition — regarding faith and morals that are not contained in sacred Scripture but are transmitted faithfully and continuously from one generation to the next under the living teaching authority of the Catholic Church.
missio ad gentes The mission of the Catholic Church to bring the Gospel to those who do not know Christ or have abandoned the faith.
parrhesia A Greek term denoting courage or boldness, specifically the fearlessness that comes from the Holy Spirit. It was embodied in the hearts of the apostles at Pentecost and the courage it took among the early Christians to go out and proclaim the Gospel across the ancient world.
penitential rite A newly introduced element in the 2024 synod, where participants engage in a collective act of repentance and seeking forgiveness. This practice underscores the Church’s commitment to transparency and accountability and includes several notable innovations including the idea of “sins against synodality.”
people of God A key ecclesiological concept highlighted in the synod, emphasizing the community of all baptized faithful. The term came into particular use after Chapter 2 of the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium) of the Second Vatican Council and claims roots in both scriptural and patristic images of the Church.
role of the Holy Spirit Pope Francis has repeatedly emphasized that the Holy Spirit is the true “protagonist” of the synod. This term has become one of the most frequently used during public interventions by participants.
sensus fidei Also called the “sensus fidelium” (“sense of the faithful”), the supernatural instinct of the faithful to recognize and endorse authentic Christian doctrine and practice. It is described in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (No. 92) as “the supernatural appreciation of faith on the part of the whole people, when, from the bishops to the last of the faithful, they manifest a universal consent in matters of faith and morals.”
structural changes Proposed alterations to decision-making processes within the Church aimed at widening participation of the laity while respecting episcopal authority.
study groups Ten groups were established to delve deeper into specific themes emerging from the synod’s first session. The most controversial topics raised at the first session — including authority, the possibility of women deacons, and the Church’s outreach to the LGBTQ community — were committed to the study groups to allow the synod participants to focus on ways for the Church to be truly synodal.
synodality A term emphasized in Pope Francis’ pontificate, generally understood to represent a process of discernment, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, involving bishops, priests, religious, and lay Catholics, each according to the gifts and charisms of their vocation.
synthesis report The document summarizing the discussions at the end of a synod phase. The document will be presented to Pope Francis and traditionally serves as the foundation for his own document, a postsynodal apostolic exhortation.
transparency The quality of being clear, open, and accountable in processes and decision-making.
women’s participation A notable feature of the 2023 and 2024 synod sessions is the participation of women with voting rights. In 2024, 54 women will again have the right to vote in the synod.
youth In Vatican terms, a “youth” is defined as a person between the ages of 16 and 35. This age range extends beyond what is typically considered a “youth” in many countries, particularly the United States.
Given the Synod on Synodality is an ongoing process, interpretations or applications of these terms may evolve as the Church continues its synodal journey.
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At this point, what more is there to say?
Amen!
Farrell, Roche, Cupich.
Lord help us (again).
Don’t forget Bishop McElroy( new Cardinal) another Modernist member.
Most important [not to diminish liturgy] is Roche, Tagle, Farrell, Cupich assigned to Discipline of the Sacraments. Whatever Burmese Bo or Scot Gilbert may prefer they’re outnumbered by among the most liberal cardinals in the Church. Adherents of Amoris Laetitia and all it entails. Nonetheless the ordinary of the diocese the likes of Archbishop Cordileone, Bishop Paprocki et al cannot be compelled to ignore the canons of the Church 915 in particular. Although the appointments anticipate engagement ahead.
But great picture!
The photo says everything we need to know about Cupich. Somehow I doubt he has that one hanging in his office.
Yeah, I’m not sure about the picture. McCarrick was promoted by JP2, and promoted again, despite allegations going back to the 1990s. B16 never did anything about him, and even Archbishop Vigano was in Ted’s corner until he wasn’t. As far as I know, Mr McCarrick was never involved in liturgical governance, unlike the new DDWDS archbishop.
So, is this just more simmering discontent about Amoris, or McCarrick, or Cupich because all is not right in CatholicWorld? Or is there a point? I’m sure if we combed the internet just as carefully we could find all sorts of conservative heroes ponying up to the greatest fundraiser of all time, right?
So true. To try to smear Cardinal Cupich with the photo even before a single word of the story is surely a type of “journalism” unworthy of Catholic World Report. I suggest you make amends by digging up and publishing every single photo of McCarrick with every Catholic prelate, including recent popes!
The Catholic hierarchy is looking more and more like an exclusive club for closeted homosexuals. God help us.
Will this appointment bring sanctity, godliness and honour to the table?
I believe that when Jesus prayed that all might be one He was likely thinking that the ONE would be in line with his teachings. It sure seems like Francis is taking a play out of the book of Chairman Joe in appointing people to posts based on their political leanings rather than their support for Church teaching. Both seem determined to destroy what they are sworn to defend.
Unfortunately, this simply further reinforces the suspicion that long before being elected pope, Senor Bergoglio was, and perhaps still is, one of “them”.
Oh, greeaaaaaaaat.
Since one of our commenters has posted an open question as to what concerns might connect with photos and reports involving the message communicated by items such as “Cupich-McCarrick” above, and as most other commenters have noted their disgust of these 2, I offer this video posted in February by Damian Thompson, of Holy Smoke (Spectator) showing what Thompson says is the Pontiff Francis “lying” to a reporter confronting his actions as head of the Argentine Bishops Conference, to defend and protect the Argentine child sex predator “Rev.” Julio Grassi, now serving a 15 yr prison sentence in Argentina. See video here:
https://mobile.twitter.com/holysmoke/with_replies
As other commenters have alluded to the larger problem (which includes being silent about warehousing sex abusers near schools…such as Cupich did…and behavior like Cardinal Bergoglio/Pontiff Francis in defending sex abusers, smearing accusers, and rehabilitating and promoting both sex abusers…McCarrick and “Rev. Inzoli…and coverup artists…such as Danneels of Belgium…protector of his friend “His Excellency” Vanguelwhe…the Belgian McCarrick…who raped his own nephew), I believe that the understandable and wholesome response to photos and stories involving the message conveyed by “Cupich-McCarrick” imagery is this:
The problem with all of the above named high-ranking clerics etc etc etc, is that they are simply all of the same mind, “the mind of McCarrick” (to paraphrase St. Paul).
If this is the point, then the DDWDS angle is irrelevant. CWP aimed wrongly. Instead, they could have produced an op-ed about corruption in the Church, from John Paul II and Benedict XVI on down. Or out.
Mr Thompson is an opinion writer. In other words, a gossip columnist. Is that the kind of journalism that good Catholics aspire to produce, read, and desire? Mr Thompson is essentially the same as the rest of us here: we offer opinions on stuff. And sometimes we find a picture, a tweet, a snapchat to back up what we believe or want to believe. When our opinions offer untruths, it is detraction. Then it becomes a grave sin against the Commandments.
“The problem with all of the above named high-ranking clerics etc etc etc, is that they are simply all of the same mind …”
I can think of a few feminists who might say the same. Their problem would be that they are all clerics–all men, in other words.
Mr. Flowerday:
Your contempt for Damian Thompson is not a reasonable argument, and it gives the impression that your intention id to ignore the case of then-Archbishop Bergoglio and his defense of the predator Julio Grassi.
The accusation made by Thompson is that the video shows the Pontiff Francis in the act of denying that he defended and tried to protect Julio Grassi.
Multiple sources in Argentina and outside it, have stated that Archbishop Bergoglio defended Grassi, and spent millions of Church dollars doing it, and smearing Grassi’s accusers. Among the sources are a judge on the Argentine high court, who stated that Archbishop Bergoglio tried to intervene in the trial by submitting the reported “defense/smear” to him, presumably with the intent that it be shared with other judges on the Argentine supreme court, as an inside maneuver, an act hidden from the eyes of Argentine public.
The video shows a reporter confronting the Pontiff Francis about his role in defending Grassi, and all can see that the Pontiff denies it.
This matter is not the first denial, as in a recent hagiography of the former Archbishop Bergoglio, the then-Archbishop says he never had any sex abuse issues when he was tbe Archbishop. I believe that statement, if memory serves, was made in Austin Ivereigh’s book in Pontiff F, “The Great Reformer.” We can all go find it, as it is in print now.
When a is charge made, then we are on the ground of rebuttable presumptions. Silence in the face of charges involving sex abuse are not “Christ-like,” as many opinion-peddlers prefer to insist.
The fact of Grassi’s abuse has been decided in the Argentine high court, and the charges that Archbishop Bergoglio orchestrated a behind the curtsin defense if Grassi are made by people in Argentina, including one of the high court judges.
The people making these charges are doing it publicly, in writing snd here in video.
Luke any man, Pontiff Francis is duty bound to answer, and others are duty bound to press the charge, and Thompson and others are doing it.
The charge is very consistent with the behavior pattern of Pontiff Francis regarding sex abusers (e.g., Inzoli of Italy) and coverup Cardinals (e.g., Danneels of Belgium).
The pattern of behavior is a fact, and the charges are lsid in public.
Pretending that this particular Pontiff is above it all shows a degree of “devotion” to this particular Pontiff.
Whether or not there is a comparable degree devotion to the pursuit of truth is in question.
The preference for avoidance and silence on the matter may very likely explain why the Pontiff Francis has avoided traveling to visit his home country.
Pretending reality isn’t happening is a bad modus operandi for the Church.
It ought to trade that in for a pursuit of the truth.
That might cause us all to intersect with The Man Who Is The Truth.
I hope it does, in every case, including those involving the Pontiff Francis.
“I take seriously my obligation to …pray, as Jesus did the night before he died, that all may be one,” he [Cupich] wrote.
If God had wanted the Church to be one according to Bergoglio and Cupich, He surely would have let us know. NB: Cupich does not define his ‘one.’ It’s a sure bet that his meaning differs from mine and my Catholic friends.
Meanwhile, I and my family shall follow the Lord and the Church He handed onto His apostles. When the one big moshey mess of immoral relativist hierarchs claim the Church must follow their way of progress, I’ll pray the breath of God to blow them away like the fluff of cottonwood seeds. And He shall.
Cupich is one of the most notorious coverup artists in the US Episcopate. When he was in charge of the Josephinum in Ohio he allowed it to be turned into a gay bathhouse. Whe he was Bishop of Spokane he allowed the Jesuits to turn Gonzaga University into a retirement home for predator priests from Alaska. He has continued to cover up sexual abuse as Archbishop of Chicago. And yet, despite all this (or possibly because of it) Pope Bergoglio continues to reward and promote him. It is long overdue for him to exchange his red hat and cassock for an orange jumpsuit.
What’s in yellow, below:
comments containing … personal attacks
Mr du Toit, can you prove these allegations?
Look: I get the culture of anti-celebrity. It’s a flip side of hero-worship. And many, many contemporary heroes have been sullied: Maciel, Law, Finn, Nienstedt, Corapi, etc.. We dislike someone in the public eye–what they did, the way they look, an opinion we don’t like.
When we chase after a hero–a mentor we know, a saint we can read about–we engage our faith constructively. Does the picture above engage us to grow closer to Jesus Christ? Do the allegations about bathhouses, retirement homes, lavender mafia, etc. help us in faith? Or do they stir up passions about which we can never satisfy? Cardinal Cupich isn’t going to jail anytime soon. Just standing next to a sex predator isn’t a crime. Some people have even been made saints despite having such a history.
I congratulate CWR on being open enough and faithful enough to print items like this that attack those opposed to the Church.
Onward all…we are in this together.