“I am in favor of the ordination of women; it will also be a topic at the synod that will soon take place in Rome,” Gmür told the Swiss newspaper NZZ am Sonntag on Sept. 24.
“To undo the clarity of faith and morals of the Church would neither be fair nor honest,” Mansour said. “In fact, it could betray the very purpose explicitly stated by those preparing the synod,” he added.
The synod might, however, suggest to Pope Francis better ways that members of the Church can serve those who disagree with Catholic teaching and are affected negatively by the present sacramental teaching on issues such as divorce and remarriage, or how to include more women in non-ordained roles in the Church, he said.
“The synod should focus on good governance in the Church and not on controversial changes to discipline or moral teaching,” he added.
Mansour, who is supportive of Pope Francis’ decision to include the laity in the synod, noted that Pope Francis, “in his wisdom,” wants the universal Catholic Church to be governed by both a synodal approach and a hierarchical approach.
One without the other can lead to “chaos,” Mansour said. The synodal and hierarchical approach, which has the pope as the final decision-maker, are a “good and sure” Catholic approach, he said.
“One without the other would do harm to the unity and clarity we already possess in the Catholic Church,” he said, noting that the role of the pope is “essential” for unity and clarity.
“I hope the Synod on Synodality will help us better our servant leadership as Catholics. I also hope that the synod will not be tempted to suggest changes to the unity and clarity on faith and morals that Catholics have come to treasure,” he added.
The synod can be a “source” of progress for the Church in “deepening our unity” and servant leadership “or it can set us on a course that does harm to both,” he said.
“Like everything in life it is up to us. May we be guided by the Holy Spirit,” Mansour concluded.
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