第1971期:Pope Opens Gathering to Discuss Future of Catholic Church

Pope Francis on Wednesday is opening a gathering of bishops and others to discuss the future of the Roman Catholic Church. Some of the discussions include subjects that have never been considered before.

教皇方济各周三将召开主教和其他人士的聚会，讨论罗马天主教会的未来。 有些讨论包括以前从未考虑过的主题。

For the first time, women and non-clergy can vote alongside bishops in what is called a Synod of Bishops. The change reflects Francis’ belief that the Church is more about its people than its leaders.

女性和非神职人员第一次可以在所谓的主教会议上与主教一起投票。 这一变化反映了方济各的信念，即教会更多地关注其人民而不是其领导人。

The gathering, called a synod, starts on October 4 and will end on the 29. It will be followed by a second gathering next year. The second synod is expected to put forward detailed proposals for Francis to consider in a future document.

这次聚会称为主教会议，于 10 月 4 日开始，将于 29 日结束。明年将举行第二次聚会。 预计第二次会议将提出详细建议，供方济各在未来的文件中考虑。

The synod will have 365 voting members including the pope and 54 women. Their numbers are chosen by national bishops’ organizations and religious orders.

会议将有 365 名投票成员，其中包括教皇和 54 名女性。 他们的人数由国家主教组织和宗教团体选出。

In addition, there are around 100 experts and “facilitators,” who will help move the discussion along. But they will not vote on a final document.

此外，还有大约 100 名专家和“协调员”，他们将帮助推动讨论。 但他们不会对最终文件进行投票。

The working document for the gathering came after two years of listening to concerns from Catholics around the world. The aim has been to raise questions and start a debate.

这次聚会的工作文件是在听取了世界各地天主教徒两年来的担忧后制定的。 目的是提出问题并引发辩论。

For example, the document calls for specific steps to promote women to decision-making positions in the church. And it calls for church members to have more influence in church governance.

例如，该文件呼吁采取具体措施，提升女性担任教会决策职位。 它还呼吁教会成员在教会治理中发挥更大的影响力。

It also suggests the “inclusion” of LGBTQ+ Catholics and measures to prevent clergy from abusing their power.

它还建议“包容”LGBTQ+天主教徒，并采取措施防止神职人员滥用权力。

Some conservatives have raised questions about the synod since Francis announced it three years ago. They said that those questions have already been settled by church teachings. And raising the questions only risks division among church members.

自从方济各三年前宣布召开这次会议以来，一些保守派人士就对这次会议提出了质疑。 他们说，教会的教义已经解决了这些问题。 提出这些问题只会带来教会成员之间分裂的风险。

Just this week, five conservative cardinals from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas made their disagreement with Pope Francis public.

就在本周，来自欧洲、亚洲、非洲和美洲的五位保守派枢机主教公开表达了他们与教皇方济各的分歧。

In a letter, they put forward five questions, or “dubia,” asking Francis to affirm church teaching on these issues, including homosexuality and female clergy. They said the synod was creating confusion.

在一封信中，他们提出了五个问题，或“怀疑”，要求方济各确认教会在这些问题上的教义，包括同性恋和女性神职人员。 他们说这次会议正在制造混乱。

Francis answered that changes in the world help the church to better understand and explain its teachings and that the synod is a way to find the path forward.

方济各回答说，世界的变化有助于教会更好地理解和解释其教义，而主教会议是寻找前进道路的一种方式。

“With much sincerity, I tell you it’s not good to be afraid of these questions,” Francis told them.

弗朗西斯告诉他们：“我非常真诚地告诉你们，害怕这些问题是不好的。”

For two years, the preparation for the synod has been open to the public. However, the synod itself will be closed to outsiders.

两年来，会议的筹备工作一直向公众开放。 然而，会议本身将不对外界人士开放。

There will be no live stream of the gathering. Organizers say it will be a closed-door meeting and those taking part have been told not to speak to reporters. No daily briefings are planned as in earlier synods although five briefings are expected to take place over the time of the gathering.

聚会将不会进行现场直播。 组织者表示，这将是一次闭门会议，与会者被告知不要接受记者采访。 尽管预计在会议期间将举行五次简报会，但没有像之前的会议那样计划每日简报会。

Francis has defended the measures. The pope said he did not want “political gossip” leaking out with news of attendees arguing over disputed issues.

方济各为这些措施进行了辩护。 教皇表示，他不希望“政治八卦”因与会者就争议问题争论的消息而泄露出去。

“This isn’t a television show,” he told reporters in August.

“这不是电视节目，”他八月份告诉记者。