VOA新闻杂志2023--Pope Opens Gathering to Discuss Future of Catholic Church

Pope Opens Gathering¹ to Discuss Future of Catholic Church

Pope Francis on Wednesday is opening a gathering of bishops² and others to discuss the future of the Roman Catholic Church. Some of the discussions include subjects that have never been considered before.

For the first time, women and non-clergy³ can vote alongside bishops in what is called a Synod of Bishops. The change reflects Francis' belief that the Church is more about its people than its leaders.

The gathering, called a synod, starts on October 4 and will end on the 29. It will be followed by a second gathering next year. The second synod is expected to put forward detailed⁴ proposals for Francis to consider in a future document.

The synod will have 365 voting members including the pope and 54 women. Their numbers are chosen by national bishops' organizations and religious orders.

In addition, there are around 100 experts and "facilitators," who will help move the discussion along. But they will not vote on a final document.

What will be discussed?

The working document for the gathering came after two years of listening to concerns from Catholics around the world. The aim has been to raise questions and start a debate.

For example, the document calls for specific steps to promote women to decision-making positions in the church. And it calls for church members to have more influence in church governance.

It also suggests the "inclusion" of LGBTQ+ Catholics and measures to prevent clergy from abusing their power.

Conservative concerns

Some conservatives have raised questions about the synod since Francis announced it three years ago. They said that those questions have already been settled by church teachings. And raising the questions only risks division among church members.

Just this week, five conservative cardinals⁵ from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas made their disagreement with Pope Francis public.

In a letter, they put forward five questions, or "dubia," asking Francis to affirm church teaching on these issues, including homosexuality and female clergy. They said the synod was creating confusion.

Francis answered that changes in the world help the church to better understand and explain its teachings and that the synod is a way to find the path forward.

"With much sincerity⁶, I tell you it's not good to be afraid of these questions," Francis told them.

A closed synod

For two years, the preparation for the synod has been open to the public. However, the synod itself will be closed to outsiders.

There will be no live stream of the gathering. Organizers say it will be a closed-door meeting and those taking part have been told not to speak to reporters. No daily briefings are planned as in earlier synods although five briefings are expected to take place over the time of the gathering.

Francis has defended the measures. The pope said he did not want "political gossip" leaking out with news of attendees arguing over disputed issues.

"This isn't a television show," he told reporters in August.

Words in This Story

facilitator –n. a person who supports people involved in negotiations⁷ or discussions with the idea of making the talks easier

promote –v. to move a person to a higher position

affirm –v. to say that something is true; to support something already stated

confusion –n. a condition of being unsure in which there is a lack of clarity or understanding

 

gossip –n. repeated statements about the private lives of other people that might or might not be true

1 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

2 bishops   

（基督教某些教派管辖大教区的）主教( bishop的名词复数 )； （国际象棋的）象

参考例句：

• Each player has two bishops at the start of the game. 棋赛开始时，每名棋手有两只象。
• "Only sheriffs and bishops and rich people and kings, and such like. “他劫富济贫，抢的都是郡长、主教、国王之类的富人。

3 clergy   

n.[总称]牧师，神职人员

参考例句：

• I could heartily wish that more of our country clergy would follow this example.我衷心希望，我国有更多的牧师效法这个榜样。
• All the local clergy attended the ceremony.当地所有的牧师出席了仪式。

4 detailed   

adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的

参考例句：

• He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。
• A detailed list of our publications is available on request.我们的出版物有一份详细的目录备索。

5 cardinals   

红衣主教( cardinal的名词复数 )； 红衣凤头鸟（见于北美，雄鸟为鲜红色）； 基数

参考例句：

• cardinals in scarlet robes 身披红袍的枢机主教
• A conclave of cardinals was held to elect the new Pope. 红衣主教团举行了秘密会议来选举新教皇。

6 sincerity   

n.真诚，诚意；真实

参考例句：

• His sincerity added much more authority to the story.他的真诚更增加了故事的说服力。
• He tried hard to satisfy me of his sincerity.他竭力让我了解他的诚意。

7 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。