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The Catholic Church begins an unprecedented consultation on its future, by order of Pope Francis

Advocates see the initiative, called “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission”, as a opportunity to change the power dynamics of the Church and give a greater voice to lay Catholics, including women, and people on the margins of society.

Conservatives, meanwhile, say the three-stage process is a waste of time, can erode the hierarchical structure of the Church’s 1.3 billion members, and ultimately, dilute the traditional doctrine.

At a mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, Francis said Catholics should be open-minded about the process.

“Are we prepared for the adventure of this trip? Or are we afraid of the unknown, preferring to take refuge in the usual excuses: ‘It’s useless’ or ‘We have always done it that way,'” said Francis in his homily.

In the first stage, Catholics in parishes and dioceses around the world will debate issues such as whether the Church listens sufficiently to youth, women, minorities and the marginalized of the society. They will also discuss how to identify stereotypes and prejudices in their local communities and what kind of Church they believe God wants in today’s world.

Following discussions at the national and continental level, the bishops will meet at the Vatican for a month in 2023. They will prepare a document and then the Pope will write an Apostolic Exhortation giving his views, suggestions and perhaps instructions on various topics.

“Let us not soundproof our hearts; let us not remain entrenched in our certainties. Let us listen to each other,” the Pope said at the Mass attended by some 3,000 people.

Francis has said that while there should be more consultation between the various parts of the Church, only the Pope can make final decisions on doctrinal matters.

In an article in the conservative American Catholic magazine First Things, which has often criticized the pope, theologian George Weigel said it is unclear how “two years of self-referential Catholic talk” would address issues such as declining church attendance.

Meanwhile, the progressive newspaper National Catholic Reporter, based in the United States, praised the initiative as an opportunity to achieve greater inclusion.

“It may not be a perfect process, but the Church is more likely to address the needs of God’s people with it than without it,” said an editorial.

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