Vatican City – The recent synod held in Vatican City, described as the most significant gathering of the Catholic Church since the 1960s, concluded with divisions on LGBTQ+ inclusion and other issues within the Church. Pope Francis, who made headlines by expressing openness towards the LGBTQ+ community, faced opposition from conservative bishops concerned about the direction of the Church. In response, the pope stated that he could envision priests blessing same-sex couples on a case-by-case basis if such benedictions did not equate to the sacrament of marriage. However, the subsequently approved concluding report, which required a two-thirds majority, fell short of inclusive language and did not even mention the term “LGBTQ+”. The document merely stated that people who feel marginalized or excluded should be listened to and have their dignity defended. The synod did not reach a consensus on LGBTQ+ inclusion, highlighting the ideological rifts within the global Church.
The synod, which included lay people and women as voting members for the first time, covered a range of topics, including women’s roles in the Church and priestly celibacy. On the issue of women in decision-making and pastoral roles, the synod called for their inclusion but did not mention women in the priesthood. The report also recommended further consideration of priestly celibacy, an issue of importance in regions with a shortage of clergy. Pope Francis has sent mixed signals on both topics, stating that there is no clear doctrine on women’s ordination or married priests but ruling against married priests in the Amazon region last year.
The synod’s failure to address LGBTQ+ inclusion, along with other contentious issues, highlighted the challenges facing Pope Francis as he seeks to unify the Church and solidify his legacy. The ideological divide present within the Church suggests that rapid change may be difficult to achieve. Some participants expressed disillusionment with the synod’s outcome, calling it a rehash of Catholic doctrine.
Conservative Catholic factions, particularly in the United States and Eastern Europe, criticized the synod as a liberal smokescreen, while progressive factions saw it as an opportunity for long-awaited reforms. The caution demonstrated at the synod suggests that significant changes may be an uphill battle for those seeking reform.
Despite the divisions, there were moments during the synod that signaled the pope’s openness to the LGBTQ+ community. Pope Francis affirmed that same-sex couples could receive Catholic blessings, albeit not the sacrament of marriage, on a case-by-case basis. He also met with an LGBTQ+ group and welcomed an American nun who was previously sanctioned for her LGBTQ+ advocacy. However, conservative bishops from various countries strongly rejected same-sex blessings, calling them “sinful” and a product of Western European influence.
Overall, the synod highlighted the challenges facing the Catholic Church in addressing LGBTQ+ inclusion, women’s roles, and other contentious issues. The ideological divisions within the Church suggest that unifying the faithful and bringing about significant reforms may be a complex and lengthy process for Pope Francis. The synod will reconvene next year to offer a final set of recommendations to the pope.