Calay News
The Vatican has published a guidance document of about 60 pages called ‘Instrumentum laboris’, which will serve as a basis and starting point for the next general assemblies of the Synod of Bishops in October 2023 and 2024. This document proposes to discuss various controversial social issues for the Catholic Church.
Among the issues raised are the welcoming of LGBTQ+ persons, remarried divorcees, the ordination of married men, polygamous relationships, the role of women, and the question of women’s access to the diaconate. These discussions come as part of Pope Francis’ efforts to achieve greater inclusion for those who feel hurt and rejected by the Church, so that they can feel recognized, welcomed, and free to ask questions, just like other parishioners.
The document raises the need to take concrete steps to reach out to people who feel excluded from the Church because of their affectivity and sexuality, taking into account the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation ‘Amoris laetitia’. It is also suggested to reflect on the possibility of allowing the female diaconate and to review the discipline on access to the presbyterate by married men.
It is important to emphasize that this document does not represent the final position of the church but is a starting point for future discussions. It recognizes that it is neither a document of the Magisterium of the Church nor a report of a sociological survey, and it is not intended to offer operational indications or goals to be followed.
In summary, the ‘Instrumentum laboris’ published by the Vatican raises a number of controversial issues that will be discussed during the upcoming general assemblies of the Synod of Bishops. These issues include LGBTQ+ inclusion, remarried divorcees, ordination of married men, polygamous relationships, the role of women, and access to the female diaconate. However, this document does not represent the final position of the Church and seeks to open a dialogue to find appropriate solutions.
