Cardinal Mario Grech, General Secretary of the Synod, explains, “We can be tempted to be politicians in the Church. And that is absolutely wrong. We are servants of the Lord; we are servants of the word of God.” 

Pope Francis sent a letter to Cardinal Mario Grech, who is responsible for organizing the Synod on Synodality in October. The Holy Father outlined ten crucial points for discussion, covering a wide range of topics such as the Church’s mission in the digital age and the role of women in the diaconate.  

Smaller “Study Groups” will now review these discussion points in preparation for the 2024 session and continue their work even after the Synod concludes. Some of the topics these groups will tackle are quite controversial. Notably, one of the documents highlighted “the possible access of women to the diaconate” as a significant point of discussion. 

Cardinals Mario Grech and Jean Claude Hollerich shared insights from last year’s first synodal session during a press conference at the Holy See Press Office. They introduced a document for the upcoming October session titled “How to be a synodal Church in mission?” 

At the conference’s conclusion, Cardinal Jean Claude Hollerich, the Synod’s Relator General, explained to EWTN that synodality is intended for the entire Church. 

“We do not want to polarize,” he said. We want to bring people together, and I think we have succeeded in the first session. We have to act very wisely to continue that process. So, it is important that synodality is not just for the progressive Church but for all Church. Synodality gives life to the Church, and we all know that we need to proclaim Christ to the World.”  

The next step will be taken at the Synod on Synodality from October 2nd to 27th when bishops from all around the World will gather again at the Vatican.   

Adapted by Jacob Stein