VATICAN CITY — The second assembly of the Synod of Bishops on synodality will meet Oct. 2 to 27 and will be preceded by several formal studies coordinated by the synod general secretariat working with various offices of the Roman Curia.
The Vatican announced the dates for the assembly, indicating that the desire of some synod members to spend less time in Rome was rejected. The fall assembly will be preceded by a retreat for members Sept. 30-Oct. 1, the Vatican said.
Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, of the Diocese of San Diego, plans to attend, as he did the first assembly in October 2023.
In response to a call by members of the first assembly of the synod, Pope Francis has agreed to the establishment of “study groups that will initiate, with a synodal method, the in-depth study of some of the themes that emerged.”
A papal document announcing the dates of the fall assembly did not list the topics to be studied.
In their synthesis report at the end of the first synod assembly, members voted to ask Pope Francis for several studies before the 2024 assembly. These included a study on the permanent diaconate. “Theological and pastoral research on the access of women to the diaconate should be continued,” the report said.
