Fr. Baker explains the Roman Synod of Bishops

The Roman Synod of Bishops | Fr. Kenneth Baker, S.J. | Editorial for May 2009 issue of Homiletic & Pastoral Review

About every three years I have published an article on a Roman Synod. They usually take place every three years. Representing HPR, I have covered twelve of them since 1971. This month I thought it would be helpful to explain briefly what a Roman Synod is and how it works.

The Roman Synod is a new instrument to help the pope in governing the worldwide Church of over one billion Catholics. At the request of some cardinals and bishops, it was established by Pope Paul VI in 1965 and the first one was held in 1967. Up to the present there have been twelve ordinary Synods and two extraordinary ones (1969 and 1985).

The purpose of the Synod is to advise the pope on a subject of his choice. Some of the topics considered in the past were: evangelization, catechesis, laity, priests, religious, bishops, family. The Synod in 2005 was on the Holy Eucharist. The last one in October 2008 was on the Bible. It is important to note that a Synod is not a governing body in the Church—it is advisory to the Holy Father. An ecumenical council like Vatican I and Vatican II can make decisions for the whole Church; a Synod cannot do that.

Read the entire editorial...

Comments

[Ed Peters]

I think the Roman Synod is still just taking its first steps. Over the coming decades, it will assume greater importance, not in terms of governance, but in terms of leadership.