Bishop Matthieu Rougé of Nanterre told the Register that many of the synod’s recommendations can be adapted to existing Church structures.

A French bishop who attended the recent Synodality sessions in Rome welcomed the final text as an invitation to evangelization, but also stressed that the synod’s implementation should not aim to overturn current Church legislation.

In comments made shortly after the end of the synod’s final session from October 2-27, Bishop Matthieu Rougé of Nanterre told the Register that many of the synod’s proposals for a more participatory and inclusive Church are already possible within existing canonical structures and frameworks.

Speaking specifically about the opportunities for the lay faithful to be involved in decision-making, while respecting the final word of the appropriate ecclesial authority, he suggested that the implementation stage of the Synodality, now begun, should focus on better use of current possibilities, such as provincial and plenary councils, rather than making dramatic changes.

“Before turning canon law upside down, as the document says, we must start by fully implementing all the provisions it makes, especially for councils, which are sometimes too neglected,” said Bishop Rougé , whose diocese includes the western suburbs of Paris.

The French bishop, who was selected by his national episcopal conference to serve as a delegate to the Synod on Synodality, added that the synod’s final document was a welcome affirmation of several practices already in place in Nanterre.

For example, the document calls for a greater presence of women in all positions of responsibility currently permitted by canon law; the chancellor of the Diocese of Nanterre, Bishop Rougé pointed out, is a woman, as are the leaders of other important diocesan services.

Bishop Rougé also noted the importance of parish pastoral councils in his diocese, another focus of the synod document. All these councils will meet later this month to discern how to develop the missionary commitments of the diocese.

And in January, Bishop Rougé will host a training day for both clergy and lay leaders, in line with another focus called for by the synod.

“The synod now concluded encourages us in all these initiatives and will generate new ones,” said Bishop Rougé, whose diocese includes just under 1 million Catholics.

The French bishop’s emphasis on cases of synodality experienced in his local Church echoed similar comments made by some American bishops who took part in the synod. For example, Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, he noted that “synodal” institutions and practices are already in place in many US dioceses, including the significant presence of women in positions of ecclesiastical responsibility.

However, others involved in the synod framed the event as a pretext for dramatic reform.

For example, in one of the official theological forums of the Synod of Synodality held last month in Rome, the Italian canonist Donata Horak asked to give the synods decision-making power and also for amending canon law to limit the bishop’s ability to make a decision contrary to that expressed by the community.

The synod’s final document proposes “a review of canon law from a synodal perspective”, particularly in terms of clarifying the “distinction and relationship between consultation and deliberation” as it applies to ecclesiastical governance and the respective role that pastors and lay faithful he plays it. in making decisions.

A Canon Law Commission, whose membership was not made public, was also established “to work on the necessary innovations in ecclesiastical norms,” ​​the final text says.

The need for unity

Regarding the possibility of decentralizing doctrinal authority, Bishop Rougé declared happily that the final document had “moved on” from an initial proposal to recognize the “doctrinal authority” of episcopal conferences and instead spoke more modestly about their “competences”.

As the Register previously reportedthe proposal to decentralize doctrinal authority led to significant rejection in the synod hall.

In his post-synodal comments, Bishop Rougé emphasized that the unity of faith and sacramental discipline are “so important in a world that is both globalized and fractured, where Christians must more than ever give a witness of communion and peace”.

The Bishop of Nanterre added that the overall “accuracy and balance” of the document had improved through the revision process, but that “whatever the changes and evolution of the text” he “would have found it better if the work entrusted by the Pope to one of the specific groups of study were received with more confidence by all.”

The French bishop’s comments are a likely reference to the issue of the possibility of having women deacons. Despite the fact that the issue has been referred to a separate study group by Pope Francis, he advocates for women deacons he continually tried to center the problemboth inside and outside the synodal hall, throughout the month of October.

The synod’s final document includes a statement that the possibility of women deacons is still open and should be discerned, language that was not present in draft version.

Overall, Bishop Rougé described the synod’s final document, which Pope Francis expressly endorsed, as a useful “organizational road map,” but stressed that any reforms that might result must be pursued with evangelization in mind and faithfulness to Christ.

“The synod will bear fruit not only if we make the various councils work better,” said Bishop Rougé, “but especially if the means suggested by the synod really promote the spiritual rooting and missionary commitment of all the baptized, so that the Good News. of salvation can reach the ends of the earth!”