Established by Pope Francis in March 2024, the Study Groups have delivered reports on the work carried out so far, starting from the conclusion of the Synod on Synodality. The deadline for delivering the final reports to Leo XIV has been set for 31 December. Among the topics covered are the digital mission, the role of women, ecumenism, polygamy, liturgy, the ministry of nuncios, and the selection of bishops. By Salvatore Cernuzio Vatican News Twenty months after their establishment at the behest of Pope Francis – who wanted closer collaboration between the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia and the General Secretariat of the Synod – the ten Study Groups called upon to examine the issues that emerged during the two sessions of the Synod on Synodality released their Interim Reports today, 17 November. This is a step forward after the presentation of the first reports during the second session of the assembly in October 2024. Two new groups The topics are varied: from mission in the digital world to ministries and women’s participation in the Church; from relations between Eastern Catholic Churches and the Latin Church to the role of nuncios and the choice of bishops; from ecumenism to “controversial” doctrinal issues – better defined as “emerging” issues – such as violence against women in the context of war. Along with the reports, the contributions of the Canon Law Commission and SECAM (Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar) on the challenge of polygamy, as well as that of the Group on Liturgy in a Synodal Perspective, were also presented for the first time. The latter is one of two new groups desired by Pope Leo XIV in light of the Final Document, and which began work at the end of July 2025. The other is still being formed and concerns the Statutes of Episcopal Conferences, Ecclesial Assemblies, and Particular Councils. Extension of the deadline for submitting final reports All the Groups were asked to submit their reflections to the Pope by the end of June 2025. The death of Francis, the election of Pope Leo and the need for more time for the work made it necessary to extend the deadline. Last July, Leo XIV granted the extension and asked that the final reports be submitted to him, “as far as possible,” by 31 December 2025. “Some groups are now nearing completion of their work, while others will continue in the months ahead,” writes Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod, in an accompanying note.
