Originally published at The Catholic Thing
Participants at the synod are now debating the “doctrinal competency” of national bishops’ conferences, meaning their ability to adapt matters of doctrine to their local interests. Discussion topics include the relationship between local churches, the need for communion in and among bishops’ conferences, and the possibility of “returning doctrinal competency” to episcopal conferences. Said one synod participant, “On all sides what was expressed was either the desire for progress in this regard, or fear of going in this direction,”
