The Vatican Synod is considering the possibility of laypeople participating in the selection of bishops

The General Secretariat of the Vatican Synod has presented new initiatives aimed at decentralizing the process of appointing church leadership. The documents under discussion propose moving away from strictly hierarchical management in favor of collaborative decision-making with representatives of church communities.

According to and the reports presented, the Synod’s seventh working group recommends involving laypeople in the process of selecting candidates for episcopal sees. The mechanism involves the use of confidential questionnaires, the creation of lists of informants, and the verification of candidates’ public reputation in the digital sphere. In addition, the report emphasizes the importance of flexibility in a future bishop—he must demonstrate a willingness to embrace innovation and adapt decisions to changing circumstances.

A significant aspect of the proposals is the pursuit of gender equality within church structures. The authors of the initiative insist on the involvement of women in the selection process for bishops and chaplains. It is worth noting that these documents are advisory in nature and do not yet constitute final decisions approved by the Pope. In the near future, the Vatican dicasteries and the Synod Secretariat will begin developing practical measures to implement these ideas.