Catholic Culture, Phil Lawler:
Question: When is a Synod of Bishops no longer a Synod of Bishops?
Answer: When the participants are not bishops.
This year Pope Francis will appoint 70 non-bishops to participate, as voting members, in the October meeting of the Synod of Synodality. These lay participants will represent only slightly more than 20% of the Synod’s voters. Still their involvement raises the question. If it is a Synod of Bishops, why are lay people voting? Report is here.
