Synod of Bishops – An Expression of Collegial Solicitude

Abstract

This article examines the institution of the Synod of Bishops in the Catholic
Church, its development, theological and legal foundations, as well as its
current role in the context of the synodal process initiated by Pope Francis.
The first part analyzes the genesis of the Synod of Bishops, emphasizing
its roots in the Second Vatican Council and the document Apostolica
sollicitudo of Pope Paul VI. Subsequently, it addresses the legal aspects of
the synod as defined by the 1983 Code of Canon Law and the 2018 apostolic
constitution Episcopalis communio. The final section explores the ongoing
synodal process with its various stages, reflecting on the significance
of synodality in today’s Church. The Synod of Bishops is presented as a
dynamic institution that integrates episcopal collegiality with the primacy
of the pope and continually adapts to the new challenges of the Church in
the 21st century.