Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Italian Bishops Approve Synodal Plan on Inclusion, Clarify Civil ‘Giornate’ Wording

The four-year synodal process now moves into implementation before the CEI’s November assembly.

Overview

  • The assembly approved the 70+ page synthesis, titled “Lievito di pace e di speranza,” with 781 votes in favor out of 809.
  • It urges local churches to promote recognition and pastoral accompaniment of homoaffective and transgender people and their parents, a paragraph adopted 672–154.
  • The text asks the CEI to support civil anti‑violence ‘Giornate’ with prayer and reflection, a clause passed 637–185 after officials said it was misread as endorsing Pride marches.
  • Women’s roles are to be expanded in church life, with backing to commission research on the female diaconate (625–188) and other measures to increase shared leadership.
  • CEI leaders will appoint a group to translate the document into priorities and proposals to be taken up at the bishops’ general assembly in November, with Cardinal Zuppi underscoring the shift to implementation.