The document from the North American continental group is rooted in Vatican II and will help manage expectations for the synod process, says columnist Michael Sean Winters.
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Denver, Colo., Apr 14, 2023 / 11:45 am (CNA).
The need to rebuild trust in the wake of abuse scandals, the need to be inclusive and welcoming while faithful to Church teaching, and the need to approach the synodal process as “a mis.
null / USCCBDenver, Colo., Apr 14, 2023 / 11:45 am (CNA).The need to rebuild trust in the wake of abuse scandals, the need to be inclusive and welcoming while faithful to Church teaching, and the need to approach the synodal process as "a missionary movement" were on the minds of American and Canadian Catholics who participated in the North American phase of the Catholic Church s synodal process.Participants reflected on a working document provided by the Vatican and offered their contributions based on the discussions of synods at the parish and diocesan levels. Their reflections are compiled in the "North American Final Document for the Continental Stage of the 2021-2024 Synod." The 39-page document was released on Wednesday.A synod is a meeting of bishops gathered to discuss a topic of theological or pastoral significance in order to prepare a document of advice or counsel to the pope. Synodality, generally speaking, means a process of discernment, discussion, an