On July 7, 2023, the General Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops published a list naming those who will participate in the October General Assembly of the Synod on the future of the Church. For the first time women, priests, consecrated people and lay people will be able to participate in this body as voting members, a right which had previously only been reserved for bishops.
Around 26% of the members who will vote could not have voted in previous synods, as they fall into these categories.
The October Assembly is a result of a process started by the Pope in 2021, which began with a local and then continental phase, before now reaching the Vatican.
Aleteia has put together a list of all the participants from English-speaking countries. This includes five tables with the voting members divided by continent as well as one table with the non-voting participants (facilitators and experts).
The voting members from English-speaking countries count for 116 out of the total 363. Additionally, there are 15 facilitators and experts from English-speaking countries.
The list includes only participants from nations where English is considered an official language, plus the UK, USA, Australia, and New Zealand.
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And today we celebrate...