Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

The General Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops has disclosed the names of members from two sets of study groups examining themes from the first assembly of the synod on synodality in 2023. The groups, comprising high-ranking officials of the Roman Curia, bishops, religious figures, and lay experts worldwide, were made public on July 9 alongside a working document for the second session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops scheduled for October 2-27 in Rome.

Among these members are seven individuals from the United States. These include Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark, New Jersey; Archbishop Borys A. Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia; and Kim Daniels, director of Georgetown’s Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life.

In response to a formal call by members during the first synod assembly in October 2023, Pope Francis agreed to establish “study groups that will initiate, with a synodal method, the in-depth study of some of the themes that emerged” from the assembly’s synthesis report. He stated in February that these groups would be established “by mutual agreement between the competent dicasteries of the Roman Curia and the General Secretariat of the Synod.”

Cardinal Tobin coordinates a group focused on revising documents related to "the relationship between Bishops, consecrated life, and ecclesial associations." This group includes U.S. Cardinal Robert F. Prevost and Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell.

Cardinal Prevost is also part of another group addressing "aspects of the person and ministry of the Bishop from a missionary synodal perspective," which includes examining criteria for selecting episcopal candidates and ad limina visits.

Archbishop Gudziak participates in a group dedicated to exploring "the relationship between Eastern Catholic churches and the Latin Church." Daniels coordinates a group investigating "the mission in the digital environment," which includes notable figures such as Archbishop Rino Fisichella and Paolo Ruffini.

Sister Maria Cimperman is part of an eight-member group dedicated to “Listening to the cry of the poor,” along with Léocadie Lushombo.

Other groups are focusing on various topics such as priestly formation norms ("Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis"), roles of Papal Representatives, theological criteria for discerning controversial issues, ecumenical journey fruits reception, and specific ministerial forms including women's participation in church leadership.

An additional set of study groups composed mainly by theologians was created following requests by synod participants for deeper theological exploration ahead of its second session. Sister Cimperman contributes to this effort within a group studying "The synodal missionary face of local Church," while Daniels is involved with examining "The ‘place’" within this framework.