Cardinal Tobin reflects on second week of the Synod in Rome

At the close of his second week at the Synod of Bishops in Rome, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, reflected on his small study group of eleven bishops, clergy, and laypeople with whom he continues to engage in meaningful discussions. He said this week’s dialogue included a theme of “relations”—our relationship with Christ, with one another, and within the broader People of God, as well as how to work together in a synodal, missionary Church.

The second week of the Synod of Bishops focused on key themes surrounding dialogue and the Church’s missionary identity, with discussions emphasizing prayer and listening. A central concern was the role of women, as well as the inclusion of marginalized communities such as the LGBTQ+ faithful. Though controversial topics like women’s ordination and blessings for same-sex couples were discussed in separate study groups, the broader focus remained on promoting a more synodal Church based on listening and discernment​.