Switzerland advocates for the decentralization of the Catholic Church.
Published: Sunday, Oct 29th 2023, 15:50
Updated At: Monday, Oct 30th 2023, 00:54
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At the conclusion of the Bishop's Synod in Rome, Switzerland advocated for a decentralization of the Church. It also called for a greater participation and inclusion of all, and put the topics of priest celibacy and female ordination at the forefront.
The Swiss Bishops' Conference (SBK) has stated in a Sunday announcement that Switzerland wishes to have the possibility for local churches to decide on certain matters themselves. The document released at the conclusion of the Synod contains these demands. It is an interim report and serves as a working document for the period until the next and final Synod meeting in Rome in October 2024.
For the first time, women and men without episcopal ordination were able to participate and vote in the World Bishop's Synod. The three Swiss participants were Bishop Felix Gmür, President of the Swiss Bishop's Conference and Delegate of the Swiss Bishops for the Synod, Helena Jeppesen-Spuhler, Representative for the European continent, and Claire Jonard, Expert and Facilitator of the Synod.
Pope Francis' World Synod is one of his major reform initiatives. In the Catholic Church, a Synod traditionally serves as an advisory body to the Pope. As the head of the Catholic Church, the Pope has the sole authority to make decisions.
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