Synod Briefing – Day 11: Focus on disabilities, women and climate crisis

By Lorena Leonardi and Roberto Paglialonga

Tuesday morning’s synodal session, held in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall on October 15, began with the memory of Brazilian poet José Carlos de Sousa, a homeless man who lived under the colonnade of St. Pierre and died in August. His funeral was celebrated Tuesday by Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, and Brazilian Cardinal Leonardo Steiner at the Santa Monica Chapel in the Vatican.

Dr. Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication and President of the Synodal Commission for Information, shared the news during the Synod press briefing at the Holy See Press Office.

He recalled that the homeless man had been helped by Cardinal Krajewski’s dicastery in the past and that he was known not for asking tourists for money, but sometimes for notebooks in which he could write his poetry.

He also announced that Tuesday evening, at 6:30 p.m., the film Io Capitanodirected by Matteo Garrone, will be screened in the Hall of the New Synod, in the presence of some of the actors. The screening is an initiative of the Dicastery of Culture and Education.

Dr Ruffini further indicated that 347 participants were engaged in the work of the small working groups on Monday afternoon and Tuesday.

Relationship spaces as meeting places

Meanwhile, Sheila Pires, secretary of the Synod Information Commission, highlighted key points from the morning prayer and meditation, led by Benedictine Sister Maria Ignazia Angelini and Cardinal Hollerich.

Dr. Pires recalled that Sister Angelini’s meditation focused on the “ecclesial roots” of the Church, emphasizing that “the Church must be incarnated in a concrete context” and reflecting on the dynamism of the Gospel.

She emphasized that spaces of human interaction provide opportunities for the Gospel to be lived and proclaimed.

Dynamic vision

In his report, Cardinal Hollerich highlighted the importance of Part III of the Work instrumentdedicated to “Places”.

As highlighted by Dr. Pires, the discussion focused on mission contexts, particularly cities and megacities, within a dynamic and not static vision that also takes into account migration.

Reflecting on the territories that walk together and the bonds that shape the unity of the Church, Cardinal Hollerich invited delegates to consider real-world contexts, warning against abstract universalism.

The Cardinal also emphasized that the Church cannot be understood without being rooted in place and culture, emphasizing the interdependence of places and cultures.

Looking to the future: continuing the journey

Sister Nirmala Alex Maria Nazareth, Superior General of the Sisters of Apostolic Carmel, described the Synod as a “unique experience,” an opportunity to dialogue with representatives of the Church from around the world.

She called the meditations of Cardinal-elect Timothy Radcliffe and Sister Maria Ignazia Angelini “inspiring.”

Looking to the future, Sister Nirmala stressed the need to connect with local Churches upon her return home, but already suggested that she felt a sense of hope, noting that after beginning the synodal journey, we cannot go back, but only move forward.

A Church rooted in place and culture

Cardinal Steiner, archbishop of Manaus, Brazil, was also among Tuesday’s speakers at the press conference.

In particular, he highlighted the new paths emerging from the Synod, particularly how they illustrate the practical meaning of synodality.

The Cardinal noted that in Brazil this process is already underway, with many women and permanent deacons actively leading communities in the Amazon. “What we are experiencing here helps us to better understand synodality in our local church,” said the Brazilian cardinal.

He stressed that interculturality and interreligiousness are essential for a Church which must take root in its environment.

Role of women in the Church in Brazil

In the vast Archdiocese of Manaus, which covers 90,000 square kilometers, Cardinal Steiner stressed that women have played a crucial role for more than 100 years in the absence of priests.

He observed that many women lead communities, serve in ministries, and are deeply involved in charity and prison ministry.

Women, he stressed, represent an essential element of the Church, adding that without them, the Church would not be the same.

Regarding the debated topic of women deacons, Cardinal Steiner acknowledged that many women in remote communities already function as deacons. de facto deacons.

He expressed admiration for their work, suggesting that the revival of the female diaconate could align with its historical precedent. “Why not restore the ordained female diaconate? he asked, noting that this role could complement that of male deacons.

The problem, he says, is not a question of gender but a question of vocation.

Environmental crisis in Brazil

Synod participants also discussed the environmental emergency in Brazil, particularly in the Amazon, where a month-long drought has made rivers impassable, isolating many communities.

Cardinal Steiner described the situation as dire, with water shortages affecting regions beyond the Amazon. He deplored the effects of predatory fishing and mercury pollution on the region’s fragile ecosystem.

Although the Synod does not explicitly address environmental issues, Cardinal Steiner pointed out that Pope Francis’ post-synodal exhortation Querida Amazon provides a framework for understanding the environment as an integral part of synodality.

“The synodality that we experience is part of our mission as a Church, and we must continue this path even after the end of the Synod,” he said.

Question on priestly celibacy

Responding to a question on the celibacy of priests, one of the most discussed topics in 2019 at the Special Synod for the Panamanian region, the Brazilian cardinal admitted the difficulty of working with only 172 priests for a thousand communities, and the need to deepen the relationship between the community and the ministry.

On the same point, Cardinal-elect Roberto Repole, Archbishop of Turin, added that already in the synodal assembly, thanks to the presence of bishops from the Eastern Churches, “there is a wealth of forms of ministry”.

Sr. Nirmala also gave her views on this issue, expressing that on some issues, in her country, more time might be needed.

Like the global Church

Cardinal-elect Repole also spoke about the importance of the synodal process for his own diocese.

The spiritual depth of the participants and the growing sense of camaraderie among them greatly impressed him.

The Archbishop of Turin highlighted how the Synod reflects the universal nature of the Church, integrating voices from diverse cultures while spreading the Gospel.

In response to journalists’ questions, Dr. Ruffini also addressed the inclusion of people with disabilities, acknowledging that this topic has been raised in some circles and is close to everyone’s hearts.

“At least in my working group,” he declared, “we are discussing it, we will see in the coming days if it will be discussed within the General Congregation. Certainly, the subject is close to everyone’s heart and we can do more, but when we talk about the smallest, the marginalized, we also talk about people with disabilities.”