Report calls for mandatory pastoral councils, a greater role for lay people and new rules on accountability
VATICAN (SE)): A report recommending changes to the Code of Canon Law in light of the Synod on Synodality is now with Pope Leo XIV. Observers describe it as the first concrete step towards writing synodality into the Church’s law.
The final report of the synod’s Canon Law Commission was released by the General Secretariat of the Synod on September 30. It drew little public attention at the time. It proposes amendments to 34 canons of the 1983 Code of Canon Law, which governs the Latin Church, based on the work of the synod assemblies held in October 2023 and October 2024 and their Final Document.
The 10-member commission was set up in 2023, in agreement with the Dicastery for Legislative Texts. It was coordinated by Archbishop Filippo Iannone, who was then prefect of that dicastery and now heads the Dicastery for Bishops.
The General Secretariat says the report should be treated as a working document.
Three stages of reform
The commission divides its work into three time frames. For the short term, it proposes specific amendments that could support the life of the Church right away, and these make up most of the report. For the medium term, it suggests new or revised instructions to be prepared with the relevant Vatican dicasteries. For the long term, it foresees a full revision of both the Latin and Eastern codes.
…it seemed important to initiate a corresponding reflection on the norms—the canons—that govern her organisation and the relationships among her members
Mario Cardinal Grech
“In the long term, however, there is an obvious need for a complete revision of the two Codes to reflect the theological and ecclesiological issues that have emerged,” the report states.
A separate commission has been set up for the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches. The report also says its own work is not finished, because guidance is still expected from the synod’s Study Group 7 on the juridical responsibilities of bishops.
Mario Cardinal Grech, secretary general of the synod, said that while the whole Church is reflecting on her synodal nature, “it seemed important to initiate a corresponding reflection on the norms—the canons—that govern her organisation and the relationships among her members.”
Recalling a phrase of Pope Leo XIII, he added that without matching canon law, theology would remain “like a man with only one arm.”
Lay people in decision-making
Many of the proposals strengthen the place of lay people, both men and women, in the Church’s decision-making.
The commission found that existing law already allows lay people more responsibility than they usually exercise in practice. It noted that these tools are “often not implemented” and sometimes need clearer legal backing.
In the long term, however, there is an obvious need for a complete revision of the two Codes to reflect the theological and ecclesiological issues that have emerged
Final report of the synod’s Canon Law Commission
It proposes adding to Canon 208, on the equality of all the faithful, that competent Church authority has a duty to “recognize and promote” that equality.
A revised Canon 212 would state that pastors “have the duty to listen to the opinion of the Christian faithful” on matters affecting the good of the Church, using methods of communal discernment.
According to America magazine’s Vatican correspondent, Colleen Dulle, one of the most notable proposals would let bishops appoint lay “episcopal delegates.” These delegates could govern on the bishop’s behalf in certain areas of Church life, much as clerical episcopal vicars do now.
Councils, synods and transparency
Under the proposals, diocesan and parish pastoral councils, which are now optional, would become mandatory. Every diocese would have to hold a diocesan synod at least once every 10 years, and lay people would make up the majority of participants. Provincial councils would also meet every 10 years.
The bishop would keep his authority to make decisions. However, the report says he “may not ignore a direction which emerges through proper discernment within a consultative process.”
When no priest or deacon is available, a bishop could delegate a lay person to witness a marriage with the approval of the bishops’ conference, rather than of the Holy See
Throughout the text, the commission removes the words “only” or “merely” where consultative bodies are described. The council of priests would also need to approve the opening or closing of parishes and seminaries.
On finances, the commission would turn many current “best practices” into legal requirements. Parish finance councils would publish annual reports and, where possible, be independently audited. Diocesan bishops would also set up formal systems of accountability and evaluation, with input from lay experts.
Tribunals, marriages and bishops’ conferences
Lay people could serve as diocesan judges without needing approval from the bishops’ conference. A lay judge could also hear a case alone when a full tribunal cannot be formed.
Bishops’ conferences would gain more authority. When no priest or deacon is available, a bishop could delegate a lay person to witness a marriage with the approval of the bishops’ conference, rather than of the Holy See. The report also offers two options for the decrees of provincial councils. Under one, the Holy See would have to respond within a year. Under the other, the decrees could be promulgated if Rome has not responded within a year.
The report also clarifies the role of auxiliary bishops and allows retired bishops to be appointed to committees of bishops’ conferences.
Lay people could serve as diocesan judges without needing approval from the bishops’ conference. A lay judge could also hear a case alone when a full tribunal cannot be formed
A symbolic change on infallibility
The commission also proposes reworking the canon on infallibility. Its first paragraph would no longer open with the pope’s infallible teaching authority. Instead, it would begin with the Second Vatican Council’s teaching that “the entire body of the Christian faithful, having received the anointing from the Spirit, cannot err in matters of faith.” The text on papal infallibility would follow in the next paragraphs.
Dulle called the change “a significant symbolic move.”
A change of hearts
It is not yet clear what Pope Leo will do with the recommendations. Dulle noted that the proposals closely follow the synod’s Final Document. She also pointed out that, by the report’s own logic, a direction reached through proper discernment should not be ignored.
Canon lawyers she spoke with cautioned that changing the law will not be enough on its own. Many legal requirements are already treated as boxes to be ticked with minimal effort. A truly synodal Church, Dulle concluded, will require “a change not just of laws but of hearts.”
