Pope grants Eastern Catholic synods the authority to remove Patriarchs, Major Archbishops
August 29, 2026
Pope Leo XIV today amended the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (1990) to grant Eastern Catholic synods the authority to remove Patriarchs and Major Archbishops when communion between the church’s head and synod has been “seriously and irreparably damaged.”
“Where the sacred bond between the Father and the Head and the other Bishops has been irreparably damaged, a grave wound arises, for which a remedy must be found, as several Eastern Prelates have demanded,” Pope Leo wrote in his apostolic letter Mutua Concordia (Mutual Concord).
Under the procedures outlined in the letter, an Eastern Catholic synod may request the resignation of the Patriarch or Major Archbishop. If he refuses to resign, the synod may depose him by a two-thirds vote—but only if the Roman Pontiff consents.
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Further information:
- Apostolic Letter in the form of a Motu Proprio Mutua Concordia (Dicastery for Communication - Vatican Media, 8/29/26)
- Pope Leo grants Eastern Synods the faculty to remove Patriarchs (Vatican News, 8/29/26)
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