Pope Francis this morning announced the theme of the next Synod of Bishops, saying it would focus on "youth, faith and discernment of vocation".
The synod, which will take place in 2018, will look at on how the Catholic Church can help accompany young people in discerning God's calling for their lives, but some commentators suggest the issue of married clergy could well be on the agenda also.
A press release from the Vatican on Thursday said the Pope made the choice after consulting, as normal, with Bishops Conferences, the Eastern Catholic Churches 'sui iuris' and the Union of Superior Generals, in addition to having listened to the suggestions of the Synod Fathers from the last Synod and the opinion of the XIV Ordinary Council.
Describing the theme "as an expression of the Church’s pastoral concern for the young," the statement said the chosen topic follows on from the findings of the recent Synods on the family and the conclusions contained in the post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia.
It said by discussing this theme, "the Synod wishes to accompany young people along their existential journey towards maturity so that, through a process of discernment, they can discover their life plan and achieve it joyfully, opening themselves up to an encounter with God and humanity and actively taking part in the building of the Church and society."
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