Episcopalis communio

{{See also|Theology of Pope Francis#Decentralization and synodal governance}}

{{Lang|la|Episcopalis communio}} is presented as the logical implementation of the apostolic exhortation Evangelii gaudium,Evangelii Gaudium, §26 Francis' programmatic letter for his pontificate,{{Cite web|title=Francis: This is how the joy of the Gospel can reform the Church|url=http://www.lastampa.it/2013/11/25/vaticaninsider/eng/the-vatican/francis-this-is-how-the-joy-of-the-gospel-can-reform-the-church-hzx32nyzFfdI3XAEppsB8M/pagina.html|access-date=2017-06-07|website=LaStampa.it|date=26 November 2013 }}{{Cite web|author=Pope Francis|date=24 November 2013|title=Evangelii Gaudium: Apostolic Exhortation on the Proclamation of the Gospel in Today's World|url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html|access-date=2017-06-07|website=Vatican|at=Opening paragraph}} where Francis expressed his intention "to profoundly reshape all the ecclesial structures, so that they become more missionary". The synod of bishops must be a means of collegiality and "always become more and more an adequate channel for the evangelization of the present world more than for self-preservation."Evangelii Gaudium, §27.{{Cite web|date=2018-09-18|title=Baldisseri: una "rifondazione" dell'organismo sinodale|url=https://www.lastampa.it/vatican-insider/it/2018/09/18/news/baldisseri-una-rifondazione-dell-organismo-sinodale-1.34046086|access-date=2021-02-09|website=lastampa.it|language=it-IT}} Francis had previously held synods on the family (2014, 2015) and on youth (2018), and promulgated {{Lang|la|Episcopalis communio}} after the regional synod on the Pan-Amazon region (2019). Some analysts surmise that the greatest achievement of Francis' papacy may be his creation of a more synodal Catholic church, where synods serve as a platform for open and energetic debate.{{Cite web|last=Mitchell|first=Charlotte|title=Pope Francis, everyman pontiff: Profile|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/pope-francis-everyman-pontiff-profile-200101104012522.html|access-date=2020-02-05|website=www.aljazeera.com}}

{{Lang|la|Episcopalis communio}} was signed on September 15 by Pope Francis and promulgated three days later.{{cite news|url=http://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/pope-francis-boosts-authority-of-the-synod-of-bishops|title=Pope Francis Boosts Authority of the Synod of Bishops|last=Pantin|first=Edward|date=September 18, 2018|work=National Catholic Register|access-date=21 May 2019 }}{{cite news|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/39398/pope-francis-approves-new-constitution-for-synod-of-bishops|title=Pope Francis approves new constitution for Synod of Bishops|last=Brockhaus|first=Hannah|date=18 September 2018|access-date=21 May 2019|publisher=Catholic News Agency}} According to Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, this date recalls the creation of the Synod of Bishops in 1965 by Pope Paul VI.

According to the secretary of the synod council Fabio Fabene, one of the main characteristics of synods under Francis is "to listen as much as possible to reality and people," with in particular the organization of preliminary inquiries. The new constitution provides for the laity to send their contributions directly to the synod's secretary general. The document also specifies the work which must be carried out after the synod, and provides for the possibility of a pre-synodal meeting as for the synod of bishops on Young People, Faith, and Vocational Discernment.{{Cite news|date=2018-09-18|title=Le pape François renforce le pouvoir du Synode des évêques|language=fr-FR|work=La Croix|url=https://www.la-croix.com/Religion/Catholicisme/Pape/Le-pape-Francois-renforce-pouvoir-Synode-eveques-2018-09-18-1200969700|access-date=2021-02-09|issn=0242-6056}}{{Cite web|date=2018-09-18|title=Cambia il Sinodo dei vescovi, più spazio all'ascolto dei fedeli|url=https://www.lastampa.it/vatican-insider/it/2018/09/18/news/cambia-il-sinodo-dei-vescovi-piu-spazio-all-ascolto-dei-fedeli-1.34045936|access-date=2021-02-09|website=lastampa.it|language=it-IT}} The constitution states that "If the Roman Pontiff has granted deliberative power to the Synod Assembly, [...] the Final Document participates in the Ordinary Magisterium of the Successor of Peter once it has been ratified and promulgated by him."{{Cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_constitutions/documents/papa-francesco_costituzione-ap_20180915_episcopalis-communio.html|title=Episcopalis communio, 18, §2|last=|first=|date=|website=www.vatican.va|access-date=2020-02-05}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Cite web|title=Episcopalis communio (15 September 2018) {{!}} Francis|url=http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_constitutions/documents/papa-francesco_costituzione-ap_20180915_episcopalis-communio.html|access-date=2021-02-09|website=www.vatican.va}}

{{Pope Francis|state=collapsed}}

Category:Apostolic constitutions of Pope Francis

Category:Synod of bishops in the Catholic Church

Category:Second Vatican Council