The work of the German language group (see opposite page) shows the effectiveness of the synod’s use of small study groups to brainstorm theological issues A crucial PART of this year’s synod process has been the increased emphasis on small discussion groups, known officially as the circuli minores. Participants have been divided according to language – English, French, Spanish, Italian and German – and each has a moderator and relator.The groups have been tasked with studying and proposing amendments to the synod’s working document, Instrumentum Laboris, which will feed into the final report, Relatio Synodi, written by a 10-man committee and due to be presented to the Synod Fathers today. The working document is divided into three parts,