Catholic Synod Relevant to Other Christian Churches, Delegates Say

Cardinal Kurt Koch, the Swiss prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, spoke at a synod press briefing on Oct. 10 about the relationship between the synod and other Christian churches. According to a Catholic Review report from October 2024, delegates from other churches said the gathering is relevant to them as well.

Synod members were scheduled to join Pope Francis for an ecumenical prayer vigil on Oct. 11 in the Square of the Roman Protomartyrs near St. Peter’s Basilica. The report identifies the Rev. Anne-Cathy Graber as secretary for ecumenical relations.

At the first session of the synod on synodality in 2023, Pope Francis invited delegates from 12 churches. Cardinal Koch said there are 16 fraternal delegates this year because other churches asked to participate. He said that the synodal journey is ecumenical and that the ecumenical journey is synodal. Brethren from other churches sitting in the same discussions reflects the unity described in Psalm 133:1.

Orthodox Metropolitan Job of Pisidia said the delegates felt welcomed and were fully involved in the synod discussions. Anglican Bishop Martin Warner of Chichester described Catholics and Anglicans as a family that can learn from each other’s experiences.

A separate France 24 report, titled “The 51%,” said that women are set to vote for the first time at the Synod of Bishops later that month. The report described this as a historic moment for the Catholic Church.

In that report, Annette Young asked Kate McElwee, executive director of the Women’s Ordination Conference, whether the church is moving closer to having Catholic women priests.