5 synod fathers to take part in the October 4-25gathering.
What do the working documents for the Synod contain. The Instrumentum Laboris, or working document of the Synod, is divided into three parts following the structure of the Relatio Synodi (the final report of last October's Extraordinary Assembly). It reflects the close link between the Third Extraordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October 2014, dedicated to "The pastoral challenges of the family in the context of evangelisation", and the upcoming Ordinary General Assembly. The first part, entitled "Listening to the challenges of the family", relates most directly to last year's Synod, while the second, "Discernment of the family tvocation", and third, "The mission of the family today", introduce the theme of the next Synod. After the Synod in October, the Bishops will present the Pope with their recommendations. Pope Francis will then evaluate their proposals and provide the Church with guidance.
What were the themes of previous Ordinary General Assemblies and how are they related to the subsequent publication of an Apostolic Exhortation?
An Apostolic Exhortation is a formal instruction issued by a pope. It is traditionally offered to the Church following a Synod and encourages the faithful to do something helpful for the life of the Church. An example is Saint John Paul II's Familiaris Consortio, which affirms the meaning and role of marriage and the family.
1967 Preserving and Strengthening the Catholic Faith
1971 The Ministerial Priesthood and Justice in the World
Pope Paul VI, Justice in the World (Apostolic Exhortation).
1974 Evangelization in the Modern World
Paul VI (1975-12-08), Evangelii nuntiandi (Apostolic exhortation).
1977 Catechesis in Our Time Pope John Paul II Catechesi tradendae (Apostolic exhortation).
1980 The Christian Family
Pope John Paul II, Familiaris consortio (Apostolic exhortation).
1983 Penance and Reconciliation in the Mission of the Church
Pope John Paul II Reconciliatio et paenitentia (Apostolic exhortation).
1987 The Vocation and Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World
Pope John Paul II (1988-12-30), Christifideles laici (Apostolic exhortation).
1990 The Formation of Priests in Circumstances of the Present Day
Pope John Paul II, Pastores dabo vobis (Apostolic exhortation).
1994 The Consecrated Life and its Role in the Church and in the World
Pope John Paul II, Vita consecrata (Apostolic exhortation).
2001 The Bishop: Servant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Hope of the World
Pope John Paul II, Pastores gregis (Apostolic exhortation).
2005 The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church
PopeBenedict XVI (2007-02-22), Sacramentum caritatis (Apostolic exhortation).
2008 The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church
Pope Benedict XVI, Verbum Domini (Apostolic exhortation).
2012 The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith
Pope Francis (24 Nov 2013), Evangelii gaudium (Apostolic exhortation).
Msgr. Rick Colletti
Rector, Cathedral of the Sacred Heart