Pope Leo XIV grants Eastern Church Synods authority to remove Patriarchs

Pope Leo XIV has issued an apostolic letter in the form of a ‘Motu Proprio’ titled ‘Mutua Concordia’, which amends canons 106 and 126 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.

The document aims to expand the authority of Synods of Bishops within Eastern Catholic Churches. It emphasizes the principle of collegiality, stating that the relationship between the ‘Father and Head’ (Pater et Caput) of an Eastern Church sui iuris and the Synod of Bishops is the essence of communion in the Eastern hierarchy.

Under these changes, the Synod of Bishops serves as the primary body for electing a Patriarch. The decree specifies that if the harmony between the Patriarch and the bishops is irreversibly damaged, mechanisms exist to restore communion. This move is intended to reflect ancient traditions and address theological sensitivities, particularly in relation to the practices of Orthodox Churches.