Jerusalem: The General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops has released the first part of the final report from Study Group No. 7 on the selection of bishops, along with the final report from Study Group No. 9 on how the Church can address emerging doctrinal, pastoral and ethical questions in a more synodal way.
The reports place strong emphasis on discernment, dialogue and wider participation within the Church. According to Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, the reports show that discernment remains central both in selecting bishops and in responding to difficult questions facing the Church today.
The report on the selection of bishops stresses that a bishop cannot be separated from the people he serves. It says there is “no shepherd without a flock, and no flock without a shepherd.” The document highlights qualities expected from future bishops, including the ability to build communion, encourage dialogue, understand local cultures and work closely with people in their communities.
The study group also says Apostolic Nuncios should themselves have a synodal and missionary outlook so they can identify similar qualities in priests considered for the episcopate. The report recommends that dioceses regularly reflect on their own pastoral needs and evaluate whether their structures truly reflect the spirit of a synodal and missionary Church.
One of the significant proposals in the report is a broader consultation process before the appointment of a bishop. As an episcopal succession approaches, the local bishop is encouraged to consult bodies such as the Presbyteral Council and the Diocesan Pastoral Council. Members would be invited to submit, in confidence, the names of priests they believe are suitable to become bishops. The consultation process could also involve representatives of consecrated persons, young people, laypeople and the poor.
The document further recommends that women religious, consecrated men and lay faithful should participate in consultations alongside clergy, helping the Church gain a fuller understanding of the needs of the diocese. It also proposes the creation of teams to assist bishops in the ongoing formation of clergy and suggests independent evaluations of selection processes within the Roman Curia.
Meanwhile, the final report from Study Group No. 9 focuses on how the Church can approach difficult questions in theology, ethics and pastoral care. Instead of describing such issues as “controversial,” the report prefers the term “emerging,” reflecting a desire to move from confrontation toward dialogue and shared learning.
The report introduces what it calls the “principle of pastorality,” underlining that the Church must listen carefully to people and recognise the action of the Holy Spirit in their lives. It proposes three main steps for discernment: listening to oneself, listening to reality and bringing together different forms of knowledge. The method known as “Conversation in the Spirit” is described as an important tool for building a culture of synodality.
The study group also points to concrete examples where these methods could be applied, including the experience of homosexual Catholics and the practice of active nonviolence. In discussing nonviolence, the report refers to the witness of young Serbs who contributed to the peaceful fall of Slobodan Milošević, inspired by early Christian values.
The reports reflect the Synod’s continuing effort to encourage a more participatory Church, where listening, dialogue and shared responsibility guide both leadership and pastoral decision making.