Bishop Flores, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Doctrine, spoke to Catholic News Service April 12 about the release of the final document from the North American continental stage of the process leading up to the assemblies of the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican in 2023 and 2024.
At the end of their first meeting, three members of the preparatory commission for the assembly of the Synod of Bishops said they know some Catholics have very high expectations for the process while others have intense anxiety.
While some people want to “reform” the Catholic Church and others want “to put the brakes on the synod process,” those involved in preparing the continental phase of the synod process want “to mend” the church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the pope, said Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg, relator general of the synod.
The document will be the subject of prayer and discussion at continental assemblies, which are scheduled to be held between January and March 2023.
Pope Francis is inviting Catholics both in the mainstream of church life and on the margins to voice their dreams, ideas and concerns in preparation for the Synod of Bishops in 2023.
Pope Francis has chosen Cardinal Hollerich to serve as relator general of the Synod of Bishops on synodality, the Vatican announced July 8.
A meeting was held with presidents and officials of bishops’ conferences around the world in preparation for launching the new synod process in October.
