By Vatican News

Pope Francis has made changes to the Instruction governing the Assembly’s work, expanding the total number of members to 17, as per the Synod Secretariat statement.

Among these, twelve members were elected in the afternoon from various regions. These include representatives from Eastern Catholic Churches, Oceania, North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

In addition, the Pope will appoint 4 members, along with the head of the Roman Curia responsible for the next Synod’s theme.

The Ordinary Council plays a crucial role in preparing and executing the Ordinary General Assembly, as outlined in the Apostolic Constitution Episcopalis Communio.

Chaired by the Holy Father, the Council serves as a vital part of the General Secretariat and will lead the synodal process on synodality for the upcoming Synod.

Cardinal Mario Grech expressed gratitude to outgoing members and extended best wishes to the newly elected members for their upcoming responsibilities.

The newly elected members are:

FROM THE EASTERN CATHOLIC CHURCHES

His Beatitude Youssef ABSI, Patriarch of Antioch of the Greek Melkites, Head of the Synod of the Greek Melkite Catholic Church

FROM OCEANIA

His Excellency Most Rev. Msgr. Timothy John COSTELLOE, S.D.B., Archbishop of Perth (Australia)

Pope Francis will appoint 4 more members to the council to complete the team.

Outgoing members who will conclude their mandate with the sixteenth assembly include: