368 members are participating in the final session of the Synod on Synodality. Twenty-five percent are not bishops. And there are not many changes of members from the previous session.
CARD. MARIO GRECH
Secretary General of the Synod
This morning, we received an e-mail to inform us that one person had heart problems and could not come. Others also decided not to return, but it was not the case that the Pope excluded anyone.
Rolando Álvarez, the Nicaraguan bishop exiled to Rome, is new to the Synod, exclusively by a decision from the Pope. Álvarez, alongside many Catholics in Nicaragua, is a victim of persecution from the Ortega dictatorship. Last year, when the Synod was held, Álvarez was in jail.
Once again this year, two Chinese bishops will be present. But it is not known whether they will stay for the whole month of October. Last year, they only attended the first days of the Synod.
Profiles such as Luca Casarini, from the NGO Mediterranea Saving Humans, are back in this final phase. He has had a number of personal meetings with the Pope regarding the situation migrants and refugees.
The president of Catholic Action will also be in attendance. Both individuals are special guests, so they do not have the right to vote, but their voice is important to Pope Francis.
EVA FERNÁNDEZ MATEO
Catholic Action
Responsibility is knowing that you do not just carry the voice of General Catholic Action and of all Catholic Action, but also the voice of many lay people and parish laity.
Last year, for the first time in history, lay people and women were allowed to vote in the Synod. Cristina Inogés is one of the six women elected by papal nomination.
CRISTINA INOGÉS SANZ
Spanish Theologian
There have been many people, many women in particular, throughout the history of the Church who have tried to open a door that could not be opened from this side and, on the other side, the bolt was still bolted. And some of those women have lost their lives in the attempt. Well, let us thank God that now there is a person who is sensitive enough to remove the lock, open the door and let us in.
Although Pope Francis has not said so, it is expected that, following the conclusions of the Synod, the Pope will write an apostolic exhortation addressed to the people of God.
CA
TR: JD
