5 cardinals sent a list of questions to Pope Francis in July regarding the Synod that they believe is “generating confusion.” The Pope answered these questions the following day, but the cardinals found his response to be unclear. They then sent a new document requesting yes or no answers from the Pope. After not receiving a new response, they released these questions to the public. The Prefect of the Doctrine of the Faith responded by publishing the Pope's original answer to the cardinals.
1ST QUESTION: DOCTRINAL CHANGES
The first question was on whether doctrine can be reinterpreted. The Pope responded saying that it is one thing to “reinterpret” and another to “interpret better.” In this sense, he explained that:
“Cultural changes (…) do not modify Revelation but can stimulate us to express certain aspects of its overflowing richness better”
As an example, the Pope recalled that cultural changes helped improve the Church's position on slavery, which was tolerated for centuries.
2ND QUESTION: BLESSINGS OF HOMOSEXUAL COUPLES
The five cardinals asked whether a situation that is "objectively sinful" can be accepted as a good. They were referring to priests blessing same-sex couples. The Doctrine of the Faith already said no to this question in 2021. The Pope's response confirmed the Church's recognition of marriage:
“The Church avoids any type of rite or sacramental that might (…) suggest that something that is not marriage is recognized as marriage.”
At the same time, he recalled the importance of:
“Not to simply treat as "sinners" other people whose guilt or responsibility may be mitigated by various factors.”
The Pope also emphasized the importance of avoiding creating a habit of circumstances that may require pastoral prudence.
3RD QUESTION: THE POWER OF THE SYNOD
The third question asked the Pope if the Synod “can be the supreme regulatory criterion for the government (…) of the Church.”
The Pope provided neither a yes or no answer. Rather, he expressed the meaning of the Synod: to involve all the People of God in the life of the Church and avoid an excessive disconnection from the hierarchy.
4TH QUESTION: FEMALE PRIESTHOOD
The Pope says that it is necessary to prevent the Catholic priesthood from being seen as discriminatory against women. He insisted that the common priesthood of the faithful be revalued and emphasized that presiding at the Eucharist is not synonymous with superiority, as priests are at the service of the faithful.
With the document Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, Pope John Paul II had made a definitive statement on the impossibility of ordaining women priests. Pope Francis himself recalled this on his first trip.
POPE FRANCIS
In reference to the ordination of women, the Church has already pronounced: “No.” John Paul II said it and with a definitive answer.
Pope Francis' response to the five cardinals' question on the female priesthood concluded with a reflection where he noted that it is important to develop a more comprehensive doctrine on what is a "definitive statement" at the magisterial level.
5TH QUESTION: VALID CONFESSIONS
The last question asked if a confession is valid if the person has no intention of changing. The Pope answered that:
“Repentance is necessary for the validity of sacramental absolution and implies a resolution not to sin.”
His response emphasized that even if it is foreseeable that the person will fall into the same sin again, this does not mean that the intention is not sincere. And that for many people, standing before the confessional is already a sign that they wish to change their behavior.
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