Episcopalis Communio, made public today but only in Italian (other language translations will follow), contains 27 articles, which expand the role of the Synod as an advisory body and even suggests that the Synod’s decisions, when ratified by the Pope, become a part of the Church’s ordinary teaching magisterium.
In releasing the new Apostolic Constitution, Pope Francis writes that he hopes to make the Synod “ever more a privileged instrument of listening to the People of God.”
He writes that bishops should consult with the faithful prior to entering into Synod discussions. In this way, he suggests, the Synod will be “a particular manifestation of the efficacious realization of the solicitude of the episcopate for the whole Church.”
Sounds well and good.
But here is the part of the Constitution, which if I read the Italian copy correctly, is of some concern: It appears that Epicopalis Communio expands the role of the General Secretariat of the Synod, both in preparing for Synod meetings and in following up on the Synod’s conclusions.
The document suggests that the General Secretariat might convene meetings prior to the Bishops’ sessions, and after the Synod would be responsible for “the implementation of the synodal guidelines.”
Thus although the Pope emphasizes the role of diocesan bishops in the Synod consultations, in practice the new document appears to confer greater power on the Vatican agency responsible for organizing the Synod.
Who sits as head and staff of that agency then is of supreme importance. And the process by which those persons are placed in that office becomes even more critical to the supposed goal of the Constitution.
But what is even more breathtaking is the fact that Pope Francis has, by this very document, conferred on the Synod of Bishops authority never before recognized or granted by any Vicar of Christ and that is, if expressly approved by the Roman Pontiff, the final document of a Synod session would participate in the ordinary Magisterium of the Successor of Peter.
It is remarkable that such a document would have been so hastily prepared and promulgated precisely at a moment when the integrity of Bishops has been called into such serious question as a result of the proliferation of sexual abuse cases involving members of the hierarchy either directly or by their efforts to cover up scandals within their respective dioceses.
It’s fair to say that the faithful’s confidence in their Bishops has been badly shaken.
If Pope Francis and his advisers believe this document will somehow shore up the eroding trust and respect which the faithful have for their Bishops, I think he is badly mistaken.
Releasing a document which appears to give Bishops even greater authority at this particular time is ill advised in my opinion.
What thinkest you?
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