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Canon Law

Synod proposes reforming canon law to give greater weight to laity, women in the Church

First source report

Catholic IntelligenceUpdated 1 min read

The General Secretariat of the Synod published a report from its Canonical Commission on September 30, 2026, proposing changes to canon law to increase the participation of laypeople and women in Church governance. The commission, coordinated by Archbishop Filippo Iannone, suggests amending laws to allow qualified laypeople to hold offices, roles, and ministries, including within ecclesiastical governance.

The working group proposes modifying canon 1421 to place laypeople and clergy on equal footing during the episcopal appointment of diocesan judges. To ensure the influence of the faithful is real, the text suggests removing the word "merely" from the consultative vote given to laypeople in particular councils. The report also suggests that episcopal conferences could be granted authority to allow laypeople to assist at marriages without prior intervention from the Holy See.

Cardinal Mario Grech, the secretary-general of the Synod, stated that without corresponding canon law, theology would remain incomplete. The commission noted that current legal provisions for lay responsibility are often ignored in Catholic communities and called for stronger norms to make the law more effective in appointing men and women to leadership roles.

The non-binding report was prepared by a group of experts that included Myriam Wijlens, Monsignor Matteo Visioli, and Monsignor Giacomo Incitti. The proposals must now be examined by Pope Leo XIV.

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How the coverage unfolded

  1. Sep 30, 4:43 AM Agência Ecclesia Português Sínodo: Comissão apresenta propostas de alteração no Direito Canónico para reforçar responsabilidade dos leigos
  2. Sep 30, 4:54 AM Religión Digital Español El Sínodo propone "una revisión integral" del Código de Derecho Canónico para validar el liderazgo de laicos y mujeres en el Gobierno de la…
  3. Sep 30, 6:59 AM Diocese of Angra Português Grupo de trabalho propõe alterações ao Direito Canónico que reforçam a participação dos leigos
  4. Sep 30, 8:05 AM Alfa y Omega Español El Sínodo propone cambios legislativos para facilitar que laicos y mujeres tengan cargos visibles
  5. Sep 30, 7:49 AM Vatican News Deutsch Vatikan-Kommission: Kirchenrecht überarbeiten
  6. Sep 30, 9:42 AM Vida Nueva Español El Sínodo propone revisar el Derecho Canónico para que laicos, hombres y mujeres, asuman el gobierno de la Iglesia
  7. Sep 30, 4:14 PM ZENIT News Agency Another proposal from the synod on synodality: to amend the canons governing the Church so that laypeople can participate in its governance
  8. Sep 29, 4:08 PM ZENIT News Agency Español Otra ocurrencia del sínodo sobre la sinodalidad: cambiar los cánones relativos al Gobierno eclesiástico para que los laicos participen en él
  9. Sep 30, 9:00 PM InfoVaticana Español El Sínodo propone reformar el Código de Derecho Canónico para ampliar la participación de los laicos
  10. Oct 1, 12:09 AM InfoCatólica Español La Comisión canónica del Sínodo propone reformar más de treinta cánones del Código
  11. Oct 1, 1:22 AM ACI Prensa Español Sínodo propone reformar el Derecho Canónico para dar más peso a laicos y mujeres en la Iglesia
  12. Oct 1, 3:48 AM Where Peter Is Morning Keys: Synod panel proposes canon-law updates
  13. Oct 1, 7:26 AM Catholic News Agency Synod proposes reforming canon law to give greater weight to laity, women in the Church
  14. Oct 1, 2:22 AM Vatican News Deutsch Wijlens: Kirchenrecht soll Synodalität konkret machen
  15. Sep 30, 10:46 PM ACI Digital Português Sínodo propõe reformar direito canônico para dar mais peso a leigos e mulheres
  16. Oct 1, 9:01 AM National Catholic Register Synod Proposes Reforming Canon Law to Give Greater Weight to Laity, Women in the Church
  17. Oct 1, 12:26 PM Catholic World Report Synod proposes reforming canon law to give greater weight to laity, women in the Church
  18. Oct 2, 3:30 AM ACI Stampa Italiano Più spazio ai laici nel governo della Chiesa? Le norme ci sono ma vanno perfezionate
  19. Oct 2, 7:29 AM Diocese of Timişoara Română Propuneri de modificare a canoanelor privind guvernarea eclezială, participarea credincioșilor și responsabilitatea

More from the Diocese of Angra

  1. Oct 31, 9:51 AM PT · 54 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru
  2. Oct 30, 12:40 AM PT · 15 sources Pope Leo XIV: Angelus Address on October 25, 2026
  3. Oct 29, 7:08 AM PT Açores most Catholic region in Portugal
  4. Oct 28, 10:46 AM PT · 73 sources Pope Leo XIV to undergo surgery to remove lung nodule
  5. Oct 28, 4:48 AM PT Diocese of Angra to illuminate cathedral in purple on October 31
  6. Oct 27, 3:33 PM PT Padre Nuno Pacheco de Sousa defends a university pastoral based on lived faith, beyond rituals and warns of new paths to reach young people

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