Posted on 10/05/2005 8:24:49 AM PDT by NYer
The Vatican decided on Wednesday to limit information given to reporters about the discussions among Roman Catholic bishops attending a synod after extensive media coverage of some controversial debates.
Priests who are briefing journalists said that from now on they would only disclose the theme of what a bishop said during the daily open discussion part of the gathering but no details.
The decision was taken on Wednesday morning "in order to allow the bishops to speak more freely," one of the priest briefers said when pressed by reporters about the change.
Since the closed-door synod started its work on Monday, reporters had been given some details and quotes on the position of some prelates in open discussions that follow formal speeches.
The open discussions, being tried for the first time in a Vatican synod, last about an hour each afternoon.
Two topics that emerged before the clampdown received significant media coverage, including in Wednesday's Italian newspapers, which synod participants see in Rome.
On Tuesday, reporters were given details of comments by Archbishop William Levada, the Vatican's chief doctrinal enforcer, who called on the synod to discuss whether Catholic politicians who support abortion should be allowed to receive communion.
The issue divided U.S. Catholics last year during the presidential campaign of Democrat John Kerry, who is Catholic and supports abortion rights.
Another hot topic from the private discussions was that of priestly celibacy.
On Monday, a leader of a tiny Eastern Rite Catholic Church challenged his brothers in the Western Church, saying he believed there was no theological basis for the rule that priests cannot marry.
Last April, in the run-up to the conclave that elected Pope Benedict, cardinals agreed to stop talking to the media after a flurry of leaks about what was going on in pre-conclave meetings.
Excerpts of the synod's formal speeches will continue to be given out to reporters.
More than 250 bishops are attending. They will draft final recommendations to the Pope on policy at the end of their three-week meeting.
Now the media will have to resort to their moles.
This purges the Vatican of disobedience.
Thanks for posting all these stories.
Bishops meet at Vatican for synod; Communion to Catholic politicians on agenda
Papal Homily at Opening of Synod - "Lord: Help Us to Be Converted!"
Briefing on Synod of Bishops (to the media)
A primer on the October Synod of Bishops in Rome
Top Cardinal Plays Down Priest Shortage (Divorcees to receive communion?)
The First Synod after the Conclave Gets Underway. The Pope Is Being Tested
Ordination of married men is raised at Vatican synod
Bishop Urges Talk of Polticians at Vatican
Abandon Eucharistic doctrine, dissidents urge Synod
Vatican clamps down on information at synod
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