Synodalist understands exclusion of media from Synod. She would do as she has most to gain from a rigged Synod

 Helena Jeppesen understands the imposition of "synodal secrecy".

On his return flight from Mongolia, the Pope declared that media professionals would not be allowed to attend the debates of the next Synod of Bishops. Helena Jeppesen, the Swiss delegate to the Synod on synodality, says she understands the reasons for this decision.

The Pope announced on 4 September 2023 that the discussions between the working groups would not be open to the press, and that they would be covered by a "synodal secret". A commission for the media, headed by the current Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, Paolo Ruffini, will have the task of reporting daily on the progress of the work, trying to highlight the "ecclesial dimension".

According to the Pontiff, the aim is to preserve the "synodal climate", the "freedom of speech" of the participants and the religious nature of the process. The Vatican's independent media will not be able to follow the plenary sessions of the 420 synod members and theological advisors in real time. Only participants chosen by the Pope will have access to the Vatican audience room.

The model of the Synod on Amazonia

This decision has given rise to a number of concerns about the transparency of the process, but also to understanding. "In view of the complex and conflict-ridden initial situation of certain synod topics, I can understand why there will be no live streaming of the synod assembly", Helena Jeppesen admitted to kath.ch. However, she "would have liked to see this. The Swiss woman is one of 420 people selected to take part in the World Synod, which begins next October. A staff member of the Swiss Catholic relief organisation Action de Carême, the Aargau native will be one of ten European 'non-bishop' delegates at the Synod.

"The votes and open discussions of the Synod must be protected as much as possible, and the formation of factions must be avoided," says Helena Jeppesen. 

(Cathcon: Says the most factional of all Synodalists)

"There will be a daily press conference with the participation of members of the Synod, during which the discussions will be reported. This was done in exactly the same way during the Synod on Amazonia, and it worked very well", she reassures us.

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