Although the changes to the Synod of Bishops introduced Wednesday by Pope Francis to allow lay people, including women, to enjoy voting rights at the assembly are of interest to Dowding, she’s more passionate about the final document’s emphasis on baptismal calling and dignity in a more synodal Church as an opportunity to repair damaged trust.
Cardinals Jean-Claude Hollerich and Mario Grech present the changes to the Synod composition at the Holy See Press Office Wednesday. A synodal Church is an opportunity to repair damaged trust, says Barb Dowding, the Vancouver contributor to the final North America document for the 2021-to-2024 synod. (Vatican Media)