After the summary document released Monday by the synod’s general secretariat generated worldwide media attention and intense debate among the synod fathers, a Vatican press office statement today attempts to clarify the nature and purpose of the document.
The “Relatio post disceptationem” was read Monday by the synod’s relator-general, Cardinal Péter Erdő, and the full text was released publicly.
The Vatican today announced: “The General Secretariat of the Synod, in response to reactions and discussions following the publication of the Relatio post disceptationem, and the fact that often a value has been attributed to the document that does not correspond to its nature, reiterates that it is a working document, which summarises the interventions and debate of the first week, and is now being offered for discussion by the members of the Synod gathered in the Small Groups, in accordance with the Regulations of the Synod.
“The work of the Small Groups will be presented to the Assembly in the General Congregation next Thursday morning.”
