Pope Francis is opening a global gathering of bishops and laypeople to discuss the future of the Catholic Church, including some hot-button issues that have previously been considered off-limits for discussion
FILE - Pope Francis holds a consistory in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican where he will create 21 new cardinals, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. Pope Francis is convening a global gathering of bishops and laypeople to discuss the future of the Catholic Church, including some hot-button issues that have previously been considered off the table for discussion. Key agenda items include women's role in the church, welcoming LGBTQ+ Catholics and how bishops exercise authority.
The working document for the meeting was compiled by a committee after an unprecedented two-year canvassing of rank-and-file Catholics around the globe. “From all corners of the world, greater inclusion and support for LGBTQ+ people have emerged as a top pastoral issue for the Catholic Church,” said New Ways Ministry, which advocates for LGBTQ+ Catholics.
Francis responded to the cardinals in a letter released by the Vatican on Monday. He explained that changes in the world stimulate the church to better understand and explain its teachings, and that the synod is a way to discern the path forward.There are 365 voting members including the pope, 54 of whom are women. Their numbers are divided among delegates chosen by national bishops' conferences, members nominated by the pope himself and 10 priests and nuns chosen by religious orders.
The archbishop of Hong Kong, Cardinal Stephen Chow, said their participation was particularly significant. While originally livestreams were planned, and several extra communications officers were hired, organizers have made clear this is a closed-door meeting and participants have been told to not speak to journalists.
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