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To work for the proper implementation of canon law is to play an extraordinarily constructive role in continuing the redemptive mission of Christ. Pope John Paul II |
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Resolution 1152 x 864 |
Updated 16 apr 2014 |
Resources on t |
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Overview
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This webpage is under development. Your patience is appreciated.
The Synod of Bishops is an ecclesiastical institution whereby papal-episcopal collegiality is exercised for the welfare of the Church. This webpage serves two audiences, first, those seeking information on specific synods, and second, those interested in the development of the synodal institution itself. At present the resources organized here are primarily in English.
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Acknowledgements |
Dr. Peters participated as a canonical expert in 2012 Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. His participation came at invitation of Pope Benedict XVI and was made possible by the generosity of Sacred Heart Major Seminary and the Lilly Foundation.
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Quick Links
Part One Synods held 1967-2014
Part Two Development 1959-2013
Synodal Law
See also
Synod of Bishops (Catholic)
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Part One: Synods of Bishops celebrated from 1967 to 2014
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Synodal summaries below adapted from here.
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Summaries of Synods |
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1967
29 sep to 29 oct
Patres: 197
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The greater role of episcopal conferences in the renewal of seminaries and in priestly formation was discussed and proposals were submitted to the pope. Certain procedures relating to mixed marriages recommended by the Assembly were approved by the pope in 1970, and various aspects of liturgical reform were treated, many of which were implemented when the New Order of the Mass was approved and put into effect in 1969.
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1969
11 oct to 28 oct
Patres: 146
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1969—Extraordinary General Synodal Assembly, on Episcopal Conferences
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1971
30 sep to 6 nov
Patres: 210
List of Synodal Fathers, Origins 1/14 (30 sep 1971) 252-254. |
1971—Ordinary General Synodal Assembly II, on Priesthood, Justice
In the course of their discussion the Synod Fathers praised priests worldwide for their dedication in their ministry to Word and Sacrament as well as their pastoral work in the apostolate. At the same time, attention was given to various difficulties experienced by priests in the ministry. In addition, the Synod Fathers treated the subject of justice, stating the need to relate the Gospel to existing worldwide and local circumstances. In response they outlined an 8-point program for international action, and made recommendations that the Church on the local level foster education and ecumenical collaboration in the field of justice.
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1974
27 sep to 26 oct
Patres: 209
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1974—Ordinary General Synodal Assembly III, on Evangelization
The Synod Fathers re-emphasized the essential missionary character of the Church and the duty of each member to bear witness to Christ in the world.
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1977
30 sep to 29 oct
Patres: 204
Overview of Synodal membership, Origins 7/17 (13 oct 1977) 261.
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1977—Ordinary General Synodal Assembly IV, on Catechesis
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1980-Netherlands
14 ian to 31 ian
Patres: 19
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1980—Special
Synodal Assembly,
on the Netherlands The “Particular Synod for the Netherlands” or “Dutch Synod” as it was popularly known, was the first Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops and treated the conciliar concept of the mystery of Church communion and its practical implications, both local and universal, centering on the figure of the bishop as “Teacher of the Faith” and “Pastor of Souls”, both in his diocese and in the Episcopal Conference. At its conclusion the assembly adopted resolutions pertaining to the ministerial priesthood, religious life, the participation of the laity in the mission of the Church, the sacraments, the Eucharist and Confession, liturgy, catechesis and ecumenism, all based on the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. A specially-formed Council instituted at the end of this synodal assembly periodically meets with the General Secretariat to continue to assess the pastoral situation and to promote the implementation of the Synod resolutions. Though technically still in existence, this Council has not had a meeting since 10-11 November 1995.
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1980-Family
26 sep to 25 oct
Patres: 216
Pope's prayer for Synod, in Eng. trans., Origins 10/17 (9 oct 1980) 259. |
1980—Ordinary General Synodal Assembly V, on the Christian Family
A reaffirmation of the Church’s teaching on the indissolubility of marriage and the contents of the encyclical Humanae vitae was central to the work of this Synod. In the course of their work the Synod Fathers produced a written message entitled, A Message to Christian Families in the Modern World, and proposed a Charter for the Rights of the Family which Pope John Paul II subsequently acted upon, on 22 October 1983. From the discussion and proposals of the assembly the Pope issued the Apostolic Exhortation “Familiaris consortio” of 22 November 1981.
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1983
29 sep to 29 oct
Patres: 221
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1983—Ordinary General Synodal Assembly VI, on Penance/Reconciliation
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1985
24 nov to 8 dec
Patres: 165
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1985—Special Synodal Assembly, on Vatican II
Specially convened by Pope John Paul II, the purpose of this synodal assembly was to commemorate the occurrence of the Second Vatican Council and to assess the state of Church renewal. According to statute the Synod brought together the presidents of the over 100 Episcopal Conferences worldwide and various other persons. The discussions centered on the documents of the Second Vatican Council and their implementation in the Church around the world. At this session the Synod Fathers produced a Final Report (Relatio finalis), issued at the closing session, along with a Nuntius or Message to the People of God. Responding to the proposal from the Synod Fathers at this assembly, the Holy Father authorized the compilation and publication of The Catechism of the Catholic Church, released in 1992. At the same time, it “called for a fuller and more profound study of the theological and, consequently, the juridical status of episcopal Conferences, and above all of the issue of their doctrinal authority, in light of no. 38 of the conciliar Decree Christus Dominus and canons 447 and 753 of the Code of Canon Law (Final Report, II, C, 8, b),” which matter was addressed in John Paul II, ap. lit. m.p. Theological and Juridical Nature of Episcopal Conferences (21 mai 1998), =, n. 7.
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1987
1 oct to 30 oct
Patres: 232
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1987—Ordinary General Synodal Assembly VII, on Lay Faithful
Through a consideration of the concepts of vocation (“being”) and mission (“doing”) in the conciliar context of ecclesial communion, the Synod Fathers sought to emphasize the distinctive nature of the lay faithful in the Church’s life, in their sharing or communion in holiness and in the Church’s work of evangelization in the world, and in virtue of their secular character. Because of the topic, this Synod a number of lay persons were present as Auditors and were called upon to address the general assembly and to share insights in the Small Groups. For the first time, a lay woman and man were appointed as Adjunct Special Secretaries. The information resulting from this Synod, particularly the 54 propositions of the General Assembly, were used in the formulation of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation “Christifideles laici” of 30 December 1988.
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1990
30 sep to 28 oct
Patres: 238
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1990—Ordinary General Synodal Assembly VIII, on Priestly Formation
Taking into consideration the work of the Second Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (1971) which gave a theological treatment to the priesthood and its implications in the priestly ministry, this Synod was more pastoral in tone, centering upon priestly formation and the person of the priest himself, both religious and diocesan, before and after ordination. The Synod Fathers offered 41 propositions to the Holy Father which were used, along with other information resulting from the Synod process, in the preparation of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation “Pastores dabo vobis”. On 25 October, during the 28th Congregation, Most Rev. Emilio Eid, Auxiliary Bishop of Sarepta of the Maronites and Vice-President of the Commission for the Revision of the Code of Canons for the Eastern Churches gave a presentation on the revised [Eastern] Code and distributed a copy to the Synod Fathers and other participants.
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1991
28 nov to 14 dec
Patres: 137
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1991—Special Synodal Assembly, on Europe [ I ]
On 22 April 1990 during an Apostolic Visit to Czechoslovakia, the Holy Father announced a Special Assembly for Europe of the Synod of Bishops so as to discern the kairos of the situation created by the great changes taking place in Europe and to consider the role of the Church on the continent towards renewal and reconstruction. The special nature of the Synod and its brief preparation period required various modifications to Synod procedure, e.g., instead of the Lineamenta and Instrumentum laboris documents, a brief guide to reflection (Itinerarium) and a synopsis (Summarium) were prepared; special criteria were devised for episcopal delegates so as also to give substantial representation bishops from Central and Eastern Europe, etc. A pre-Synodal symposium sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Culture gathered intellectuals from both eastern and western Europe in a common reflection on the Synod topic. Likewise, representatives from the Orthodox Church and major Christian communities in Europe were invited in a spirit of ecumenism to participate for the first time in a synodal Assembly as “fraternal delegates”. The work of the special assembly culminated in the publication of a Declaratio (Statement), in which the Synod Fathers outlined a program for the new evangelization of Europe and made an appeal for universal solidarity among all European citizens. Subsequently, a group of members from the special assembly was appointed to devise ways of implementing the conclusions of the Declaration through a strengthening of the Concilium Conferentiarum Episcopalium Europae (CCEE) in light of the present circumstances.
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1994-Africa
10 apr to 8 mai
Patres: 242
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1994—Special Synodal Assembly, on Africa [ I ]
On 6 January 1989 the Holy Father announced this Special
Assembly and appointed a Pre-Preparatory Commission made up primarily of
members of the African episcopate. In June this group was expanded to
constitute the Council of the General Secretariat and was entrusted with
helping prepare for the synodal Assembly. In conjunction with the
meeting of representatives of the African episcopate in Lomé, Togo,
July, 1990, the Lineamenta document outlining the Synod topic was
published. The responses from the local Churches were used in
formulating the Special Assembly’s “working paper” or Instrumentum
laboris, released during the Holy Father’s Ninth Pastoral Visit to
Africa, Kampala (Uganda), February, 1993.
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1994-Cons. Life
2 oct to 29 oct
Patres: 245
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1994—Ordinary Synodal Assembly General IX, on Consecrated Life
On 30 December 1991, the Holy Father announced a synodal Assembly to consider consecrated life, a completion of the treatment of the states of life in the Church begun in the previous two Ordinary Assemblies on the laity and the priesthood respectively. The Synod Fathers touched on a number of subjects and listened to many interventions by the great number of auditors. Particularly noteworthy was the number of Synod Fathers from religious congregations, the appointment of a woman and man religious as Adjunct Special Secretaries, and the significantly increased number of women and men from the consecrated life as Experts and Auditors.
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1995
26 nov to 14 dec
Patres: 69
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1995—Special Synodal Assembly, on Lebanon
The Holy Father announced on 6 June 1991 a Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Lebanon. After subsequent initial meetings with the Patriarchs of the Oriental Churches in Lebanon, a ten-member Council, representing the 6 sui juris Catholic Churches in Lebanon, was appointed in January, 1992. At the same time, a Lebanese bishop was also designated as an on-site coordinator. The Lineamenta of the Special Assembly was made public on 13 March 1993. Beginning 1 November 94, rresponses to the Lineamenta were incorporated in the Instrumentum laboris. On 12 December, an annotated version of the Code of Canons of the Oriental Churches was distributed to the synod fathers. On 10 May 1997 the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation “Une Espérance nouvelle pour le Liban” (“A New Hope for Lebanon”), was published during a papal visit to Lebanon for the oftlinecelebration phase of the Special Assembly. An Arab translation of the document, prepared by the Assembly of Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon (A.P.E.C.L.), was subsequently published in 1998. The Post-Synodal Council, resulting from this special assembly, continues to hold meetings to evaluate the impact and implementation of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation in Lebanon. In this regard, a report was prepared and mailed in 2003 to the hierarchy of Lebanon, the heads of the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia, the Patriarchs, Major Archbishops and Metropolitans of the Eastern Churches sui iuris, the presidents of the episcopal conferences worldwide and other interested parties. Since then, the Special Council has met periodically to assess the situation in Lebanon.
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1997
16 nov to 12 dec
Patres: 233
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1997—Special Synodal Assembly, on America
In the Apostolic Letter Tertio millennio adveniente the Holy Father made known his desire to continue the Synodal movement on the continental level, beginning with the Special Assemblies for Europe (1991) and Africa (1994), and to convene special Synodal assemblies, including the Special Assembly for America, as part of the program leading to the celebration of the Jubilee Year 2000. On 12 June 1995, a Pre-Synodal Council was appointed to collaborate in the preparations of the special assembly. The Lineamenta was published on 3 September 1996 and the Instrumentum laboris on 10 September 1997. During the assembly, the Synod Fathers took into consideration the various features of Church life and society on the American continent and sought the best ways and means of allowing the people of America to encounter Jesus Christ. In this regard, they discussed the relation between the Gospel and culture and the main concepts of conversion, communion and solidarity in meeting the great challenges of contemporary society on the continent. At the conclusion of the special assembly the Synod Fathers published the customary Nuntius. A Post-Synodal Council, elected during the assembly, met on various occasions to evaluate the results of the Synod and to offer assistance to the Holy Father in drafting the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation “Ecclesia in America” of 22 January 1999, which was promulgated by the Holy Father, 23 January 1999, during the celebration phase of the special assembly in Mexico City, Mexico. Subsequently, the Post-Synodal Council has met at various times to evaluate the implementation of the document and to offer encouragement to the bishops in their initiatives on the continent in response to the post-Synodal document. In 2002, a Report in this matter was prepared and sent to each member of the hierarchy in America, the heads of the dicasteries of the Roman Curia, the Patriarchs, Major Archbishops and Metropolitans of the Eastern Churches sui iuris, the presidents of the episcopal conferences worldwide and other interested parties. The Special Council meets periodically to continue to discuss the priority issues on the continent set forth in the Report.
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1998-Asia
19 apr to 14 mai
Patres: 191
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1998—Special Synodal Assembly, on Asia
In the Apostolic Letter Tertio Millennio Adveniente, the Holy Father announced his intention to call special synodal assemblies on the continental level as part of the preparatory program leading to the Jubilee Year 2000. On 10 September 1995, the Holy Father established the Pre-Synodal Council for the Special Assembly for Asia made up primarily of cardinals, archbishops and bishops from Asia. The General Secretariat released the Lineamenta on 3 September 1996 and the Instrumentum laboris on 13 February 1998. During the Special Assembly, the Synod Fathers focused their attention on the uniqueness of the person of Jesus as Savior and His gift of abundant life in the context of the Church’s program of a new evangelization. Of particular concern was how the Church, in a concrete pastoral plan, can continue the Lord’s mission of love and service in Asia. A Post-Synodal Council resulted from the synodal assembly. Subsequently having met at various intervals in the wake of the assembly, this Council offered assistance in analyzing the special assembly’s recommendations and contributed to the drafting of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation “Ecclesia in Asia”, which was signed by the Holy Father on 6 November 1999 in the Sacred Heart Cathedral, during the Synod’s celebration phase, 5-8 November 1999, in New Delhi, India. Since that time, the Post-Synodal Council had met periodically to evaluate the distribution and implementation of the document in the Church in Asia. In 2002, a report was prepared and mailed to each member of the hierarchy on the Asian continent, the heads of the dicasteries of the Roman Curia, the Patriarchs, Major Archbishops and Metropolitans of the Eastern Churches sui iuris, the presidents of the episcopal conferences worldwide and other interested parties. The Special Council continues to meet periodically to continue to discuss the priority issues on the continent set forth in the report.
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1998-Oceania
22 nov to 12 dec
Patres: 117
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1998—Special Synodal Assembly, on Oceania
The Special Assembly for Oceania was announced by the Holy Father in the Apostolic Letter Tertio Millennio Adveniente. On 7 June 1996 the Holy Father appointed the Pre-Synodal Council made up primarily of bishops from Oceania. In a series of meetings held in Rome and Wellington, New Zealand, this Council offered assistance in drafting the Lineamenta, establishing criteria for participation, and finalizing the Instrumentum Laboris. All bishops of the region were to participate as ex officio members. To ease travel difficulties and limit the absence of the bishops from their local Churches, arrangements were made to hold the customary ad limina visits in conjunction with the special assembly. Many common concerns emerged in the course of Synod work, e.g., inculturation of the Gospel, renewed attention to catechetics and formation, the revitalization of the faith of believers, pastoral care of youth, migrants and native peoples. On 11 December, the members of the Special Assembly elected a Post-Synodal Council, to which the Holy Father appointed three members. This Council held a number of meetings to discuss the outcome of the special assembly and to offer assistance to the Holy Father in drafting the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation “Ecclesia in Oceania”, promulgated 22 November 2001 at an important, historic ceremony in the Vatican during which the document was simultaneously transmitted on the internet to all the dioceses of the region. Ecclesia in Oceania thus became the first papal document to be transmitted by internet in the computer age. In 2003, the Post-Synodal Council met to begin the process of evaluating the impact and implementation of Ecclesia in Oceania in the region, resulting in a report which was sent to the Bishops in Oceania and shared with the Universal Church in 2006. At its February meeting in 2008, the Council members made the decision to hold its next meeting in Australia, in conjunction with the Plenary Assembly of the Federation of the Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania in May, 2010.
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1999
1 oct to 23 oct
Patres: 117
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1999—Special Synodal Assembly, on Europe [ II ]
The Second Special Assembly for Europe was convoked by the Holy Father in his Apostolic Letter Tertio millennio adveniente. Notwithstanding the fact that the First Special Assembly for Europe took place in 1991, less than a decade ago, new social and cultural situations, existent on the continent in the wake of political changes in the East, have created pastoral challenges which make particularly opportune the convocation of a Second Special Assembly for Europe. On 9 February 1997 the Holy Father appointed the Pre-Synodal Council to assist in the preparation of this synodal assembly, which, with the help of theologians from Europe and the staff of the General Secretariat, published the Lineamenta (Spring, 1998) and the Instrumentum Laboris (21 June 1999) of the Special Assembly. In the course of the Second Special Assembly, the Synod Fathers gave attention to the various realities in the Church in Europe and the particular historic moment in the project towards unifying the continent. The Post-Synodal Council, elected during the Assembly, held various meetings to analyze the outcome of the synod and to contribute to the drafting of the Holy Father’s Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation “Ecclesia in Europa” which was promulgated in the Vatican, 28 June 2003, during Evening Prayer beginning the Solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul. Subsequently the Post-Synodal Council, to evaluate the impact and implementation of Ecclesia in Europa in the continent, drafted a questionnaire which was sent to the episcopal conferences and continental organizations in Europe. The responses to this questionnaire were used to evaluate some aspects of the Church’s mission in Europe.
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2001
30 sep to 27 oct
Patres: 247
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2001—Ordinary General Synodal Assembly X, on Bishops
In preparation for the Tenth Ordinary General Assembly, the Ninth Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat, in a series of periodic meetings assisted in the consultation process to determine the Synodal topic and collaborated in the composition of the Lineamenta which was sent on 16 June 1998 to the bishops throughout the world and those customarily contacted for official responses. The responses were subsequently analyzed and included in the Council’s work of drafting the Instrumentum laboris which was released on 1 June 2001. During the synodal assembly the Synod Fathers focused on the person and role of the bishop in his diocese at the beginning of the Third Millennium. On 26 October 2001, the synodal assembly elected members to the Tenth Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat to which the Holy Father appointed three members. In subsequent meetings, this Council analyzed the material which came from the synod process, especially the synod’s Propositiones, so as to offer assistance to the Holy Father in his drafting the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation “Pastores Gregis”, promulgated 16 October 2003, in conjunction with the 25th Anniversary of the Holy Father’s election.
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Scroll for Officers, ap. exhort. Pastores gregis (16 oct 2003) Bulletins, Instrumentum laboris, Lineamenta
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2005
2 oct to 23 oct
Patres: 258
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2005—Ordinary General Synodal Assembly XI, on the Eucharist
On 29 November 2003, taking into consideration the opinion of the members of the Tenth Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, based on the consultation of the episcopal conferences worldwide and the other parties concerned, Pope John Paul II decided to convoke the Eleventh Ordinary General Assembly to treat the topic of the Eucharist. That the Pope’s choice came briefly after the publication of his encyclical on the same subject deserves attention. This synodal assembly was convoked to provide the Pope with the pastoral reflections of the world’s bishops on a subject vital to the life and mission of the Church. The Lineamenta, composed by the Tenth Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat with the assistance of theologians, was sent to the episcopal conferences, the Eastern Churches sui iuris, the heads of the dicasteries of the Roman Curia, the Union of Superiors General and other concerned parties on 31 March 2004. At a subsequent meeting the Council analyzed the responses to the questions in the Lineamenta and, again with the help of experts, drafted the Instrumentum Laboris, which was made public on 7 July 2005. After his election, Pope Benedict XVI reconfirmed the dates of the synodal assembly and, at the same time, approved the following innovations in synodal procedure: a reduction of the length of the synodal assembly to three weeks; an hour of open discussion, during the intervention phase, at the conclusion of the evening plenary sessions; an electronic vote by the members - in addition to the customary written ballot - on the Propositiones or synodal recommendations; and the release to the public pro hoc vice of an Italian translation of the Propositiones. A special session was held to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the institution of the Synod of Bishops, during which various synod fathers spoke on the theological, juridical and historical aspects of the synod. Subsequently, these presentations, along with reference material on synodal assemblies, were published in a book entitled Il Sinodo dei Vescovi: 40 Anni di Storia (“The Synod of Bishops: 40 Years of History”) by the Lateran University Press. The official documentation resulting from this synodal assembly includes a Message to the People of God (Nuntius), composed during the assembly and approved by the Synod Fathers, and the Holy Father’s Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation “Sacramentum Caritatis” of 22 February 2007.
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2008
5 oct to 26 oct
Patres: 253
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2008—Ordinary General Synodal Assembly XII, on Word of God
On 6 October 2006, Pope Benedict XVI announced his decision to convoke the Twelfth Ordinary General Assembly to treat the topic of “The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church”. This Synod was intended to be in continuity with the 2005 Synod on the Eucharist and to set forth the intrinsic connection between the Eucharist and the Word of God in the life and mission of the Church. In its preparation phase, the Council members, with the assistance of experts, drafted the customary Lineamenta, released on 27 April 2007, which gave preliminary guidelines on the topic and contained a series of questions for discussion and prayer at the local level. At later meetings the Council analyzed the responses to the questions in the Lineamenta, submitted to the General Secretariat, along with observations submitted by various groups and individuals, and drafted the Instrumentum laboris, which was made public on 12 June 2008. This synod assembly was the first to take place after the revision of the Ordo Synodi Episcoporum, approved by the Holy Father on 29 September 2006, acceding to the counsel of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops on the opportuneness of updating the statutes to conform to the present Code of Canon Law and The Code of Canons of the Oriental Churches. A distinctive feature of this synodal assembly was its occurrence during the Pauline Year, beginning 29 June 2008. In commemoration, the opening liturgy of the synod was celebrated in the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. At the same time, given the topic under discussion, a Rabbi was invited for the first time to address the synod fathers and participants. This synodal assembly equally witnessed for the first time the presence of His Holiness, Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, who addressed the synod participants during a Vespers Service in the Sistine Chapel. As at the Eleventh Ordinary General Assembly, the 55 Propositiones, resulting from the collegial work of the Synod Fathers, were released to the public pro hoc vice in an Italian translation. At the synod’s conclusion, the members also issued a Message to the People of God (Nuntius). The XII Ordinary Council subsequently held various meetings to analyze the results of the synodal gathering and draft its contribution for submission to the Holy Father in his composing the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Verbum Domini, which was promulgated on 30 September 2010.
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2009
4 oct to 25 oct
Patres: 244
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2009—Special Synodal Assembly, on Africa [ II ]
On 13 November 2004, during the Symposium of the Bishops of Africa and Europe, held in Rome, Pope John Paul II, “welcoming the desire of the Special Council for Africa” and responding to “the hopes of the African pastors,” announced the convocation of the Second Special Assembly for Africa. The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, in his weekly General Audience on 22 June 2005, reconfirmed this decision. Subsequent to the initial announcement of a II Special Assembly and in collaboration with the Special Council for Africa, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, formulated the synod topic: “The Church in Africa in Service to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace. With the assistance of experts, the Council then proceeded to draft the Lineamenta, presenting the topic and containing a series of questions for discussion and prayer on the local level, which was made public on 27 June 2006. The Responses to the Questions were subsequently sent to the General Secretariat for use in composing the Instrumentum laboris, the document containing the agenda for the synodal assembly. The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, personally consigned the document on 19 March 2009 to the presidents of the episcopal conferences of Africa, during his Apostolic Visit to Cameroon and Angola. Given the nature of a continental assembly and to ensure maximum engagement of the members, the Special Council for Africa devised special criteria for participation, which, after having received papal approval, were used by the Episcopal Conferences in Africa in electing members to the Special Assembly, in addition to those who participating by reason of their office and by papal appointment. In the course of the Second Special Assembly, the synod fathers gave attention to the various realities in the Church on the African continent, particularly reconciliation, justice and peace so that the Church might respond to her mission of being “the salt of the earth and the light of the world” in social, cultural and religious areas. Through her ministry of reconciliation, the Church is called to establish peace and foster justice and thus contribute to the promotion and development of all peoples in Africa. The first synodal assembly, in calling the Church on the continent to renewed dynamism and hope, came to be known as the Synod of Resurrection and Hope; the second, in its concentration on the Church’s mission, is increasingly being called the synod of a New Pentecost. The synodal assembly approved a Final Message, which was both an appeal and a source of encouragement in the Church’s mission in Africa, as well as 57 Propositiones or Proposals for submission to the Holy Father, in which the synod fathers sought to pastorally address the various issues discussed during the assembly. The Post-Synodal Council, elected during the Assembly, subsequently held various meetings to analyze the results of the synodal assembly and draft its contribution for submission to the Holy Father in his composing the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Africae munus. The Surpeme Pontiff, during his Apostolic Visit to Benin, 18-20 November 2011, signed and presented the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Africae munus to the Church in Africa and the world.
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2010
10 oct to 24 oct
Patres: 185
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2010—Special Synodal Assembly, on the Middle East
Pope Benedict XVI announced the convocation of the synodal assembly on 19 September 2009, at Castelgandolfo, in a meeting with the heads of the Eastern Catholic Churches sui iuris and established the Pre-Synodal Council, whose members included all 7 patriarchs, namely, 6 of the Eastern Catholic Churches sui iuris and the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and the two presidents of the episcopal conferences of Turkey and Iran. The preparatory documents of the synodal assembly designated, in addition to Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories, the following 16 countries as the "Middle East": Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
The
idea of convoking this synodal assembly arose from two pastoral
concerns. Firstly, various bishops, primarily from the more troubled
regions in the Middle East, for example, Iraq, asked the Holy Father to
gather the bishops of the region to listen personally to what they had
to say about the oftentimes dramatic situation of the faithful entrusted
to their pastoral care, and, with the grace of the Holy Spirit and in
episcopal communion, seek possible ways to better the situation,
beginning with the internal communion of the Churches and these Churches
among themselves. Consultation in the matter came also from cardinals
and prelates of the Roman Curia, who had frequent contacts with the
Pastors and Christians of the Holy Land, either institutionally or in
person. Considering the relatively limited time in preparing for
this synodal gathering, the Pre-Synodal Council held a series of
meetings to draft the Lineamenta, which eventually appeared, on
19 January 2010, in 4 languages (Arabic, English, French and Italian)
and was sent to the interested parties in the consultation process. At
the same time, the criteria for participation at the synodal assembly
were discussed and later approved by the Holy Father. On the basis of
responses and observations to the Lineamenta, the Pre-Synodal
Council again met to draft the Instrumentum laboris, the
"document for work" setting the agenda for the synod, which the Holy
Father, during his Apostolic Visit to Cyprus, 4-7 June 2010, personally
presented to the members of the Pre-Synodal Council, who represented the
entire episcopate of the Middle East.
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2012
Patres: =
Donald Cdl. Wuerl has attended eight synods, been a member of five, and served as Relator for the 2012 Synod on New Evangelization. |
2012—Ordinary General Synodal Assembly XIII, on the New Evangelization
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2014
5 oct to 19 oct
Patres: |
2014—Extraordinary General Assembly on the Family and Evangelization
Pope Francis has announced the convocation of an extraordinary synodal assembly on 5 to 19 October 2014.
General Resources
Special Resources
Topical studies
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Part Two: Institutional Development of the Synods of Bishops, 1959 to 2012 |
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Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops 2004 - 2013
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Important topical studies of this period include
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Conciliar contributions to the development of the Synod of Bishops can be traced through three documents Lumen gentium, Christus Dominus, and Ad gentes. |
Lumen gentium (1964) 23.
This collegial union is apparent also in the mutual relations of the individual bishops with particular churches and with the universal Church. The Roman Pontiff, as the successor of Peter, is the perpetual and visible principle and foundation of unity of both the bishops and of the faithful.(30*) The individual bishops, however, are the visible principle and foundation of unity in their particular churches, (31*) fashioned after the model of the universal Church, in and from which churches comes into being the one and only Catholic Church.(32*) For this reason the individual bishops represent each his own church, but all of them together and with the Pope represent the entire Church in the bond of peace, love and unity.
The individual bishops, who are placed in charge of particular churches, exercise their pastoral government over the portion of the People of God committed to their care, and not over other churches nor over the universal Church. But each of them, as a member of the episcopal college and legitimate successor of the apostles, is obliged by Christ's institution and command to be solicitous for the whole Church,(33*) and this solicitude, though it is not exercised by an act of jurisdiction, contributes greatly to the advantage of the universal Church. For it is the duty of all bishops to promote and to safeguard the unity of faith and the discipline common to the whole Church, to instruct the faithful to love for the whole mystical body of Christ, especially for its poor and sorrowing members and for those who are suffering persecution for justice's sake,(160) and finally to promote every activity that is of interest to the whole Church, especially that the faith may take increase and the light of full truth appear to all men. And this also is important, that by governing well their own church as a portion of the universal Church, they themselves are effectively contributing to the welfare of the whole Mystical Body, which is also the body of the churches.(34*)
The task of proclaiming the Gospel everywhere on earth pertains to the body of pastors, to all of whom in common Christ gave His command, thereby imposing upon them a common duty, as Pope Celestine in his time recommended to the Fathers of the Council of Ephesus.(35*) From this it follows that the individual bishops, insofar as their own discharge of their duty permits, are obliged to enter into a community of work among themselves and with the successor of Peter, upon whom was imposed in a special way the great duty of spreading the Christian name.(36*) With all their energy, therefore, they must supply to the missions both workers for the harvest and also spiritual and material aid, both directly and on their own account. as well as by arousing the ardent cooperation of the faithful. And finally, the bishops, in a universal fellowship of charity, should gladly extend their fraternal aid to other churches, especially to neighboring and more needy dioceses in accordance with the venerable example of antiquity.
By divine Providence it has come about that various churches, established in various places by the apostles and their successors, have in the course of time coalesced into several groups, organically united, which, preserving the unity of faith and the unique divine constitution of the universal Church, enjoy their own discipline, their own liturgical usage, and their own theological and spiritual heritage. Some of these churches, notably the ancient patriarchal churches, as parent-stocks of the Faith, so to speak, have begotten others as daughter churches, with which they are connected down to our own time by a close bond of charity in their sacramental life and in their mutual respect for their rights and duties.(37*) This variety of local churches with one common aspiration is splendid evidence of the catholicity of the undivided Church. In like manner the Episcopal bodies of today are in a position to render a manifold and fruitful assistance, so that this collegiate feeling may be put into practical application.
Important topical studies
Ad gentes (1965) 29. Since the charge of proclaiming the Gospel in the whole world falls primarily on the body of bishops [LG 23], the synod of bishops or that "stable Council of bishops for the entire Church" [AS =], among the affairs of general concern [P6 alloc =], should give special consideration to missionary activity, which is the greatest and holiest task of the Church [B15 maximum =].
Ad gentes is not cited as a source for cc. 342-348.
Important topical studies
Christus Dominus (1965) 5. Bishops chosen from various parts of the world, in ways and manners established or to be established by the Roman pontiff, render more effective assistance to the supreme pastor of the Church in a deliberative body which will be called by the proper name of Synod of Bishops [LG 21, 24, 25]. Since it shall be acting in the name of the entire Catholic episcopate, it will at the same time show that all the bishops in hierarchical communion partake of the solicitude for the universal Church. [LG 21].
Important topical studies
As is well-known, on September 14, 1965—even before the Second Vatican Council adjourned—Pope Paul VI announced his intention to establish the Synod of Bishops: “The advanced information that We Ourselves are happy to share with you is that We intend to give you some institution, called for by this Council, a ‘Synod of Bishops’, which will be made up of bishops nominated for the most part by the Episcopal Conferences with our approval and called by the Pope according to the needs of the Church, for his consultation and collaboration, when for the well-being of the Church it might seem to him opportune. It goes without saying that this collaboration of the episcopate ought to bring the greatest joy to the Holy See and to the whole Church. In a particular way it will serve a useful purpose in the daily work of the Roman Curia, to which We owe so much recognition for its most valuable help, and for which, as bishops in their diocese, We also have permanent need in Our apostolic concerns. News and norms will be made known to this assembly as soon as possible. We did not wish to deprive Ourselves of the honor and pleasure of making you aware of this brief communication so as to personally bear witness once more to Our trust, esteem and fraternity."
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Synodal Law |
Initially, all synodal law was particular law. With the promulgation of the 1983 Code, synodal law is to be found in part in universal law (Canons 342-348) and in part in particular law properly speaking (chiefly the Ordines).
The Synod of Bishops was chartered in Paul VI, m.p. Apostolica sollicitudo (15 sep 1965), AAS 57 (1965) 775-780, Eng. trans. CLD VI: 388-393. See gen. Johnson, Synod 273-369. Synodal procedures were first presented in Secretaria Status, Ordo Synodi Episcoporum Celebrandae (8 dec 1966), AAS 59 (1967) 91-103, Eng. trans. (F. McManus) in The Jurist 27 (1967) 232-243. The 1967 Ordo was revised in Consilium pro Publicis Ecclesae Negotiis, Ordo Synodi Episcoporum Celebrandae Recognitus et Auctus (24 iun 1969), AAS 61 (1969) 525-539, Eng. trans., CLD VII: 322-337, and further technical changes were made in Consilium pro Publicis Ecclesae Negotiis, Ordo Synodi Episcoporum Celebrandae Recognitus et Auctus nonnullus additamentis perficitur (20 aug 1971) AAS 63 (1971) 702-704, Eng. trans, CLD VII: 338-341. See gen. Johnson, Synod 370-446.
Current universal synodal law is found in the 1983 Code:
Current particular synodal law is found chiefly in Secretaria Status, rescr. Ordo Synodi Episcoporum (29 sep 2006), AAS 98 (2006) 755-779. See gen. Gianfranco Ghirlanda, “Il nuovo Ordo Synodi Episcoporum”, Periodica de re Canonica 97 (2008) 3-34. For some Synods, a Vademecum Synodi Episcoporum is prepared by the Secretary General. That for the 2012 Synod was published in Latin, English, and French.
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Other Studies
Eterovic's Sinodo
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An important resource for both groups is Segreteria Generale del Sinodo dei Vescovi, Enchiridion del Sinodo dei Vescovi, in 3 vols., (Dehoniane, 2005-2008). All documents in original languages with facing-page Italian translations; if original language was Italian, a Latin translation is usually offered. Pages and paragraph numbers run continuously through the set.
Monographs
Antonio Indelicato, Il Sinodo dei Vescovi: la collegialitá sospesa 1965-1985 (Mulino, 2008) 401 pp.
Nikola Eterović, ed., Il Sinodo dei Vescovi: 40 anni di storia, 1965-2005 (Lateran, 2005) 232 pp.
François Dupré la Tour, Le Synode des Évêques dans le contexte de la collégialité (Pontificia Universitas Sanctae Crucis, 2002) 353 pp. Dupré la Tour, Synode (2002).
Maurizio Bravi, Il Sinodo dei Vescovi: instituzione, fini, e natura (Gregoriana, 1995) 397 pp.
John Johnson (American priest, 1949-), The Synod of Bishops: an analysis of its legal development (Catholic University of America, 1986) 527 pp. Johnson, Synod (1986).
Daniel Foley (American priest, 1935-), The Synod of Bishops: its canonical structure and proceedings (Catholic University of America, 1973) 278 pp. Foley, Synod.
Articles
Markus Graulich, "Bischofssynode: Kollegialität und Primat", in I. Riedel-Spangenberger, ed., Leitungsstrukturen der katholischen Kirche. Kirchenrechtliche Grundlagen und Reformbedarf (Herder, 2002) 50-75.
Thomas Reese, “The Synod of Bishops”, appeared as chap. 3 in Thomas Reese, Inside the Vatican: the politics and organization of the Catholic Church (Harvard, 1996) 42-65.
Jan Schotte, “The Synod of Bishops: a permanent yet adaptable church institution”, Studia Canonica 26 (1992) 289-306.
Angelo Urru, op, “Istituti per l’esercizio della collegialità e del primato: il Concilio Ecumenico e il Sinodo dei Vescovi”, Monitor Ecclesiasticus 115 (1990) 568-589. • Strongly favors papal advisory model of the Synod of Bishops.
Thomas Rausch, “The Synod of Bishops: improving the synod process”, The Jurist 49 (1989) 248-257. • Good overview of synodal process; is critical of the excessive secrecy enjoined at the time, cautions against diluting synodal formulations to the point of platitudes, and calls for greater reporting of minority views.
J. Schotte, “The World Synod of Bishops: media event or pastoral powerhouse?”, Canon Law Society of America Proceedings 50 (1988) 052-069.
Deretz s.v. “Synod of Bishops” 429. Ep., ep., miss.
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Staging |
Historia del Sinodo de los Obispos (Biblioteca de autores cristianos) (Spanish Edition) [Perfect Paperback]Manuel Alcala (Author)
ordo synodi
Johnson,
Synod (1986) 370-446. Johnson, Synod (1986) 447-488.
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Giancarlo Zizola, Il Sinodo dei Vescovi: cronaca, bilancio, documentazione (Borla, 1968) 433 pp. |
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