Synod's Canonical Commission proposes amendments to 34 canons

The Synod’s Canonical Commission published a final report on September 30, 2026, proposing amendments to 34 canons and calling for a long-term review of both Latin and Eastern codes of canon law. The report seeks to turn the conclusions of the Synod on Synodality into practical rules, but it remains a consultative and non-binding document. Any legislative changes would require formal promulgation and approval from the pope.

The proposals have sparked debate among canon lawyers regarding the relationship between lay participation and episcopal authority. Some experts warn that the recommendations could blur the traditional distinctions between the responsibilities of baptized Catholics and the authority held by ordained ministers.

Dominican priest and canon lawyer Pius Pietrzyk has criticized the report, arguing that the recommendations risk separating the Church's power of governance from the sacrament of Holy Orders. The debate centers on whether expanding participation in decision-making could alter the theological foundations of ecclesiastical authority and the identity of the Church.