The German Catholic Press Association (GKP) is calling on the Vatican to open the planned deliberations of the World Synod of Bishops to the media. “Something that concerns everyone should also be discussed and debated transparently for everyone,” the association argued.
On his return flight from Mongolia on Monday, Pope Francis announced that media professionals would not be allowed to attend the debates at the Synod of Bishops in October. This has caused a stir.
Independent
As the Pope explained to journalists travelling with him, media that is independent of the Vatican will not be able to follow the plenary sessions of the approximately 420 synod members and theological advisors in real time. Only those selected by the Pope will have access to the Vatican Audience Hall. According to the statement, journalists will be informed daily via the Vatican communications division.
For too long, decisions in the Catholic Church have been made based on consultations that were not transparent, the GKP criticised. “The pressure for reform that currently exists in the Catholic Church is also due to a lack of transparency and traceability.” The Synodal processes “clearly showed the media, believers and the public that the Church is in motion and that discussions are possible”.
Openness
Admitting media professionals would enable “a certain degree of openness and the frankness that has been part of the struggle for the contemporary transmission of faith since early Church times. If the Catholic Church is newly on the path to people and on the path to more necessary reforms, it is much more difficult to convey this as an event behind closed doors, not only in the media, but also within the Church as a whole”, the GKP explained. A World Synod is not an internal pastoral conversation, but a common path.
The GKP is an association of more than 550 media professionals working in secular and church media. On the basis of the Christian faith, the association aims to contribute to the formation of public opinion.
Originally reported by KNA Germany.
