VATICAN CITY (LifeSiteNews) — The Vatican on Wednesday released a new document on “the path of the implementation” of the highly controversial Synod on Synodality.
The text focuses on preparation for the 2027–2028 “Synodal Assemblies,” which it says “constitute a decisive step in the implementation of the Synod.”
This so-called implementation phase “invites communities to experiment with more synodal practices and forms of ecclesial life, to assess their fruits, and to share them,” the document states.
“What is at stake is not simply the continuity of a process, but its maturation,” it adds.
“With the presentation of the Final Document, Pope Francis opened this new stage, which was subsequently confirmed and promoted by Pope Leo XIV,” it says.
Synod documents should be ‘received and integrated as far as possible’ despite backlash over pro-LGBT report
The dense, 18-page document includes numerous dubious statements, such as that “Synodality is an essential dimension of the life of the Church,” which prominent prelates such as Cardinal Raymond Burke have denied.
The document also notably insists on acceptance of the final reports of the synod study groups, which include the now-infamous, pro-LGBT report of synod Study Group 9. That text, which falsely suggested that homosexual activity is not sinful and included testimony from friends of LGBT activist priest Father James Martin, has prompted intense criticism from cardinals, theologians, and other Catholic figures.
The final documents of the study groups “should be received and integrated as far as possible into the different phases of the journey, not as content to be applied, but as prompts that can illuminate the discernment underway and help situate it within a broader horizon,” Wednesday’s document says.
Participants should reflect ‘cultural diversity,’ Assemblies should feature other religions
It further states that there should be a “balance between men and women” among assembly participants and that they should reflect “cultural diversity.” The document also suggests that participants should include “persons living situations of fragility or marginality,” a possible reference to homosexuals, gender-confused individuals, and other people living contrary to Catholic teaching:
In the selection of participants, due attention should be given to the balance between men and women and among the different generations, to cultural and ecclesial diversity – including presbyters, deacons, consecrated women and men, members of associations, movements, and new communities, as well as faithful not belonging to organized structures – and to the presence of persons living situations of fragility or marginality.
“It is also important to value voices not directly traceable to ecclesial structures and, where appropriate, to provide for the participation of representatives of other Churches and other Christian Communions or of other religions,” it adds.
The text describes the synodal assembly as “a spiritual process and a celebratory moment in which the threads of a communal journey of growth in synodality are drawn together.”
The goal of the assembly process “is the growth of the whole People of God in relationships and in fidelity to the Church’s mission in the world,” it continues, stressing “particular attention to the participation of women, young people, the poor, and those who live on the margins of our communities.”
The document envisions a years-long synodal effort, saying that “it is essential that participants be willing to sustain the process also beyond 2028, thus helping to ensure its continuity” (emphasis in original). It urges bishops to “reactivate and support diocesan, national, and continental synodal teams.”
Indeed, it repeatedly speaks about “transformation” in the Church and promotes “structural reforms.” The document calls on local Churches “to gather and bring into relationship the experiences that have been initiated” during the synodal process: “new forms of missionary presence, practices of coresponsibility, paths of listening, transformations in decision-making processes, and reforms of structures.”
Assemblies should focus on ‘synodal’ liturgies, ecumenism
Citing the synod’s 2025 “Pathways” document, the new text proposes areas “in which the local Churches may question themselves in order to recognize steps of reception and development” in the synodal process, including:
“promotion of a synodal spirituality (cf. FD, nos. 43-46) and of a liturgy lived in a synodal key (cf. FD, no. 27)”;
“fostering of ministries and charisms; access by lay faithful to leadership roles that do not require the Sacrament of Orders and to other ecclesial responsibilities (cf. FD, nos. 60, 75-77)”;
“practice of ecclesial discernment (cf. FD, nos. 81-86), decision-making processes in a synodal style (cf. FD, nos. 93-94)”;
“synodal style in ecumenical relations (cf. FD, nos. 137-138)”;
“synodal style in interreligious relations (cf. FD, no. 123)”;
and “synodal style in organized presence within society (education, culture, human promotion, hospitality, healthcare, etc.; cf. FD, no. 118) and in the promotion of peace, justice, and care for our common home (cf. FD, nos. 47-48, 121).”
“This list, which is not exhaustive, is intended as an aid so that relevant dimensions of the experience are not overlooked,” the document says.
It additionally encourages focusing on “formation in synodality in Seminaries” and “theological Faculties and institutions.”
Vatican emphasizes Synod document that suggests women could be ‘ordained’ deacons
The new document also emphasizes the 2024 final document of the Synod on Synodality, which claimed that “the question of women’s access to diaconal ministry remains open,” in contradiction to Sacred Tradition.
“The reference texts for this journey remain, first and foremost, the Final Document of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops and the Pathways for the Implementation Phase of the Synod,” the document from Wednesday says.
It adds that “a common question is proposed to guide the work at all levels,” which is, “what concrete form of a missionary synodal Church, and what new paths of synodality, are emerging in your community?”
“In the light of this question, the task is to examine how the Final Document of the Synod has been implemented, what processes have been initiated, what transformations are underway, what difficulties have emerged, and what perspectives are coming into view,” the text says.
Synod organizers have faced criticism for years for promoting homosexuality and pro-LGBT and “women’s ordination” activist groups.