After the summary document released Oct. 13 by the III Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops generated worldwide media attention, a Vatican press office statement released today clarified the purpose of the document.
“In response to reactions and discussions following the publication of the Relatio post disceptationem (report post discussion) and the fact that often a value has been attributed to the document that does not correspond to its nature, (the General Secretariat of the Synod) reiterates that it is a working document which summarises the interventions and debate of the first week,” the statement read.
The summary is now being offered for discussion by the members of the synod gathered in the Small Groups, in accordance with the Regulations of the Synod, the statement continued.
“The work of the Small Groups will be presented to the Assembly in the General Congregation next Thursday morning,” it concluded.
The Relatio post disceptationem from the synod themed “The Pastoral Challenges on the Family in the Context of Evangelization” was read Oct. 13 by Cardinal Péter Erdő, and the full text was released publicly.
“It is important to note that the relatio is not a doctrinal or teaching document, but a summary of the discussions that took place during the bishops’ first week of meetings,” according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Denver.
The Archdiocese of Denver is following the proceedings in Rome with great interest, the statement continued, and looks forward to reading the final conclusions and suggestions for the pastoral care of families.
“There are many good points made in the published report, but there is still a lot of discussion to take place, and a lot of points that need to be clarified,” the statement concluded. “We are keeping all members of the meeting in our prayers as they undertake discussions on this fundamental topic of the family in the modern world.”
The synod, that began Oct. 5, continues through Oct. 19.
