Card. Gracias: 'A Synod to give hope'

The Archbishop of Mumbai, who represents Asia in the Council of Cardinals wanted by Pope Francis, comments on the Instrumentum laboris in view of the October Assembly released these days. "We need to discuss how to give women their rightful role, involving them more in decision-making processes in the Church. Being inclusive, welcoming everyone, does not mean changing what the Gospel teaches."

This week saw the publication of the Instrumentum laboris that will guide the second session of the Synodal Assembly in October, focused on the question "How to be a missionary Synodal Church?". On this document AsiaNews asked Card. Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai, who represents the Churches of Asia in the C9, the Council of Cardinals wanted by Pope Francis to assist him in governing the Church.

The Instrumentum laboris has just been released: scrolling through it I saw that it contains a large section on women. In October at the Synod we will discuss this issue a lot. It is very clear that we must give women their rightful role, there is no doubt about that. We will discuss how they can play a greater role in the Church, particularly in decision-making processes.

In the face of a document like this, however, we must bear in mind that the Church is universal. Our Indian, African and European situations are different. We must keep in mind the sensitivities of all and also the pastoral needs of all.

In the synod path we spoke of an inclusive Church, which means one that is capable of welcoming everyone. The Pope was particularly concerned with the disabled, the marginalised and also people with a different sexual orientation. We do not reject them as people. The danger is that if we make some statement, it can be interpreted by some as if the Church is changing its moral stance just to be accepted by others. This is not true. The Church is consistent: the Gospel is very clear about what our Lord wants. And the Pope is a man of deep faith and prayer, who is leading the Church in the direction desired by the Lord and the Holy Spirit.

That is why the document that has just been released is not a magisterial pronouncement, but a provocation to think. In the autumn we will discuss these various topics for four weeks. We will present everyone's conclusions to the Holy Father: the reflections of the bishops, but also of the laity, the religious, the parish priests... It will then be the Holy Father, with his advisors and consultants, who will draw his own conclusions.

This Synod is going very well. I have just returned from Rome, I had a meeting with the Synod Council, as well as with the Pope, and I discussed the programme with them. I think we will give hope and link the Synod to the Jubilee Year of 2025. The Holy Year must serve to give people hope, to give thanks to God and to plan for the future. The Synod will also give people hope, plan for the future and give thanks to God for all the good received.

* Archbishop of Mumbai

Nirmala Carvalho collaborated