Head of US bishops' conference says next year's Synod should be transparent
October 20, 2014
Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, the president of the US bishops' conference, has said that next year's meeting of the Synod of Bishops should be more transparent than this year's sessions.
Archbishop Kurtz mentioned that the early publication of an interim report from the Synod "left people with many questions." The document, prepared and released by a small committee, was widely criticized and later amended by the full body of bishops.
Archbishop Kurtz also questioned the decision by Synod officials not to release copies of bishops' full statements during the Synod sessions. In the past, journalists have had access to the bishops' addresses. But this year the Vatican press office provided only a brief summary of some themes that had been mentioned, not identifying the bishops who had spoken.
Archbishop Kurtz said that the Synod organizers felt that bishops would be more willing to speak candidly if their remarks were not published. But he expressed doubts that the approach had succeeded. He said: “My fond hope, and really my urging, if people ask me about this, would be to say, no, return to that process so that that’s another level of transparency.”
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Posted by: hartwood01 -
Oct. 22, 2014 12:48 AM ET USA
Happy for transparency of synod,happy with the Pontiff who brings God's love to us,without the barriers of ecclesiastical trappings and privilege of office and general distain for God's people.As Francis lives in humble surroundings and takes no vacation(since the poor can't),he will make enemies and they reveal themselves for what they are.
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Posted by: feedback -
Oct. 21, 2014 9:47 PM ET USA
I beg to differ. Chatter must not be confused with the actual magisterial teachings. The media always go after chatter and spin it. This kind of "transparency" would only result in more confusion about the Catholic faith.
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Posted by: jg23753479 -
Oct. 20, 2014 6:20 PM ET USA
Despite all the secrecy, intrigue, and outright mendacity attached to this Synod, all of us have to admit one thing, viz. that no one can now harbor doubt or confusion concerning the attitudes and methods of Pope Francis. He has made so abundantly clear at this Synod whom he considers his allies and enemies and just what policies he favors, that only the willfully blind will pretend any longer that they are in doubt about the matter. At least now all the guessing of many months can cease.
