Second Synodal Assembly

Secretary General Michele Capasso took part in the work of the Second Synodal Assembly, composed of 1,008 people - 7 cardinals, 168 bishops, 252 priests, 34 religious, 17 deacons and 530 lay people, including 277 women and 253 men - whose work was led by Monsignor Erio Castellucci, President of the National Committee of the Synodal Way.
At the end of the work, it was decided to reformulate the final document and vote on it on 25 October. The text will go to the IEC General Assembly, which will not be held in May but in November.
"It does us good this dynamism, it is the sign of a living Church, said the president of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi at the end of the work in the Paul VI Hall, ‘let us continue to walk, how good it does us good to walk together. It is perhaps since the time of Paul VI that the assembly of bishops has been held in May, a fixed appointment", which will however be moved to the autumn. Then in the subsequent press briefing he explained that "it seemed necessary to us, considering the questions that have emerged, to take more time to arrive at decisions". The point of arrival is clear, but "a congruous time of maturation is needed", also because "there is great expectation to respond to the expectations", "there is much spirit and intensity of participation". And the permanent council of the Italian Bishops' Conference, by “unanimously” moving the assembly to May, has followed the “awareness that it is necessary to walk together with the people of God”. 

There is therefore no disappointment at not having respected the set stages, indeed there is every intention of wanting to treasure what has emerged from these days. Therefore, after having listened during the days of the Synodal Assembly, "to the emphases, experiences, criticalities and resources that mark the life and vitality of the Churches in Italy, with a participatory and responsible gaze", this morning the delegates voted by a very large majority (out of 854 voters, 835 were in favour) on the motion establishing that the text of the Propositions, entitled "That joy may be full", be entrusted to the presidency of the National Committee of the Synodal Way so that, with the support of the Committee and the facilitators of the study groups, it ‘may provide for the final drafting by accepting amendments, priorities and contributions that have emerged’. At the same time, the assembly set a new date for voting on the document containing the propositions for Saturday 25 October, on the occasion of the Jubilee of the synodal teams and participation bodies.

• VIDEO
• OSUM