Jeppesen-Spuhler: Pope has made synod document more binding

With the accompanying note, Pope Francis has made the final document of the Synod on Synodality even more binding, according to Swiss synod member Helena Jeppesen-Spuhler. "He is holding the bishops to account by demanding accountability from them - both upwards and downwards," she said in an interview with the "Pfarrblatt Bern" (Wednesday). The bishops would now have to implement the results of the Synod on Synodality locally and report their experiences to the Pope during the regular ad limina visits to Rome, for example. "The synodal process therefore continues," emphasised Jeppesen-Spuhler.

In the note published by the Vatican on Monday, the Pope once again confirmed that the final document of the synod is part of the ordinary magisterium and should be accepted as such. He called on the local churches and ecclesial organisations to implement the suggestions of the final document through appropriate processes and to adapt them to the respective local conditions. The final document was adopted by the synod participants on 26 October. Immediately afterwards, Francis surprisingly announced that he would forego a post-synodal letter and instead release the results directly for publication.

"There really is greater freedom of organisation now"

According to Jeppesen-Spuhler, the bishops can now hide behind Rome less easily. "There is a mentality among bishops to orientate themselves upwards. That is now a thing of the past, and that also has to do with the Vatican's new constitution," said the synod participant. "There really is now greater organisational freedom, which many dioceses have long wished for. Now, of course, they also have to act accordingly." Reforms could be implemented directly, particularly with regard to synodal councils and accountability. For example, dioceses could publish goals that should be achieved in one year and submit a corresponding report after one year.

Jeppesen-Spuhler does not see the fact that there are already numerous committees and commissions in which a bishop has to give account as a problem. This way, committees can be merged, systems can be streamlined and the focus can be on the essentials. "More important than the number of committees is that they are given decision-making powers." This could be achieved, for example, through a voluntary commitment by the bishops. "As far as I know, this does not require explicit authorisation from Rome either." (cbr)