Archbishop in Rome for Synod

Archbishop Paul Cremona is in Rome to take part in the 12th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.

The Synod, which has as its theme "The Word of God in the Life and the Mission of the Church", is due to begin tomorrow with a Mass presided by the Pope in the basilica of St Paul's Outside-the-Walls.

This will be the first time a Synod of Bishops has been opened in a basilica other than St Peter's. The assembly is due to come to an end on October 26 with a ceremony in the Vatican Basilica.

Attending this 12th assembly will be 253 Synod Fathers representing 113 episcopal conferences, 13 "sui iuris" Eastern Catholic Churches, 25 dicasteries of the Roman Curia and the Union of Superiors General. Also present will be 41 experts from 21 countries, and 37 auditors from 26 countries. The experts include six women and 19 female auditors, one more than the men.