Pope John Paul II has highlighted the importance of the next Synod of Bishops, to be held in October 2005 and dedicated to a discussion of the Eucharist. The October 2005 Synod will be the 11th general assembly of the ordinary synod since the creation of such assemblies under Pope Paul VI in September 1965.
The Pope observed that the preparation for the Synod coincides with the Year of the Eucharist. “This is a special case of reciprocity between the universal Church and this synod,” he said. “During this year the Church and the synod are converging on a single goal: Christ in the Eucharist.”
During this pontificate, John Paul II has also convened a series of special synods, dedicated to particular regions of the world. The rules of the Synod of Bishops stipulate that the topic must be approved by the current Pontiff. Thus if Pope John Paul II should die before the opening of the next ordinary Synod in October of next year, all preparations would be suspended, unless or until the new Pope approved the topic.
source:Catholic News
