Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has granted the Synods of Bishops of the Eastern Catholic Churches a new authority to seek the removal of their Patriarchs when their relationship with the Synod has been seriously and irreparably damaged.
The provision was issued on 29 August in an Apostolic Letter issued motu proprio, titled Mutua concordia. It amends canons 106 and 126 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches and establishes a formal process for dealing with serious conflicts between a Patriarch and the bishops of his Church.
Under the new rules, a Synod may act when there is a grave cause and when the bond between the Patriarch and the other bishops has been irreparably compromised. The aim is to restore communion within the Church while ensuring that the Patriarch has the right to defend himself before the Synod.
The process begins with the Synod identifying the serious reasons behind the breakdown in the relationship. For a grave cause, the Synod may ask the Patriarch to resign. If he refuses, the Synod can proceed with a secret vote on his removal.
At least two thirds of the members of the Synod who are entitled to vote must support the removal. The decision must then be submitted to Pope Leo XIV, whose assent is required before the removal takes effect and the patriarchal see becomes vacant.
The new provisions also establish who can convene the Synod if a Patriarch fails to fulfil the obligations required by the Code. The bishop most senior in episcopal ordination and entitled to vote may call the Synod. If he does not do so, the responsibility passes to the next eligible senior bishop.
The changes address a situation that was not previously covered by the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches. The motu proprio notes that the relationship between a Patriarch, who serves as father and head of his patriarchal Church, and the Synod of Bishops is essential to the life of these Churches.
Pope Leo's provisions are intended to strengthen the role of the Synods of the Eastern Catholic Churches, which are Churches sui iuris. At the same time, Pope retains a role as guarantor by requiring his assent to any synodal decision to remove a Patriarch.
The new rules also apply to major archiepiscopal Churches.