All posts tagged: laity

Synod study group calls for greater role for laity in the selection of bishops

Synod study group calls for greater role for laity in the selection of bishops

Published by Sam Flores

(RNS) — A study group established by Pope Francis after the Synod on Synodality has called for a greater role for the laity and clergy in the selection of bishops, especially by involving the diocesan priests’ council and pastoral council. The study group was set up in response to the synod’s call “to expand consultation with the faithful People of God, and to involve a greater number of lay people and consecrated persons in the consultation process.” The practical suggestions put forth by the study group represent a substantial expansion of the role of the laity and clergy in the process of choosing their bishop — and hark back to our current pope’s namesake. Pope Leo the Great in the fifth century believed a true bishop should be elected by the clergy, accepted by the people and ordained by the bishops of the surrounding dioceses. This was a system of checks and balances that would have been loved by the writers of The Federalist Papers. The clergy would meet and vote in the cathedral and then …

Does Pope Leo want synodality without the laity?

Does Pope Leo want synodality without the laity?

Published by Sam Flores

(RNS) — The recently concluded extraordinary consistory, a convening of cardinals to discuss specific topics, gave a mixed message on synodality. At the consistory, they used a synodal process and said many positive things about synodality, but Pope Leo also announced there will be more extraordinary consistories, which is a form of synodality without the laity. When the cardinals gathered in Rome last year after the death of Pope Francis, many of them had never met. For the first time in history, the cardinals had to wear name tags so they would know each other. Pope Francis had appointed cardinals from all over the world, including from out-of-the-way places. But in his 12 years as pope, Francis only brought them to Rome for three extraordinary consistories where they could have gotten to know each other. The best-known cardinals were those who worked in the Curia and those who had attended synods. RELATED: Pope Leo embraces the radical challenge of Catholic social teaching At the conclave, the cardinals expressed their unhappiness with this situation and encouraged …