Il Sinodo dei Vescovi nella Chiesa postconciliare (sintesi)

Abstract

The history of the Church for the past twenty centuries was moulded not only by the authorities of Church offices, such as the office of Bishop of Rome or the office of the diocesan bishop but also by the personal authority of the saints from various nations. The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) was an important period for the reflection of the Church on itself and its mission in the service of the Gospel. Due to its discussion this Council considerably contributed to establishing the institution of the Synod of Bishops by Paul VI on 15 September 1965. This took place during the last session of the conciliar debates. After the completion of the Second Vatican Council, the Synod of Bishops has remained an institution which originates from the Council and shapes the image of the Church confirmed by the contemporary post-conciliar period and meetings. That is why one of the most crucial contributions of the Second Vatican Council to the organizational structure and the method of management of the Church is undoubtedly the Synod of Bishops, which is confirmed by the passing post-conciliar period and meetings of this institution whose number equals 24. Simultaneously, the Synod of Bishops played and has still been playing a crucial role also in the pontificates of the post-conciliar Popes, particularly during the years of the long-lasting pontificate of John Paul II (1978-2005). Furthermore, the current pontificate indicates that Pope Benedict XVI attaches a high importance to this institution, summoning the Synod of Bishops regularly. The afore-mentioned Popes of the post-conciliar Church modelled the theological and legal image of the Synod of Bishops as well. First of all, in this current the following should be listed: the before-mentioned m.p. “Apostolica sollicitudo” by Paul VI establishing the institution which has been remaining the theological and legal backbone of the Synod of Bishops till today and later, giving it the current legal depiction with division into the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (ordinary and extraordinary ones) and the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops promulgated by the Pope John Paul II in 1983 under the Code of Canon Law. Furthermore, statutory regulations of this central institution of the Church which are the Regulations of the Synod of Bishops from the years: 1966, 1969, 1971 and 2006 should be mentioned. The Regulation of the Synod of Bishops has shaped the works of its individual meetings in a practical way. In this current we should also refer to multi-layered statements of the Bishops of Rome at numerous circumstances about the Synod of Bishops and their constant practice of issuing post-synodal apostolic exhortations.