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SYNOD-SECRECY Oct-5-2005 (250 words) xxxi
Synod's briefing officers told to cut back on information to media
By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The long-standing issue of secrecy surfaced quickly at the Synod of Bishops in October, as briefing officers in various languages were told to cut back on the amount of information given journalists.
The move came Oct. 5, a day after the synod briefings divulged remarks by bishops on the sensitive topics of priestly celibacy and politics and Communion. The comments, made in an open discussion period of the synod, were widely reported by media in Italy and elsewhere.
The daily one-hour open discussion period was a new feature created by Pope Benedict XVI at the Oct. 2-23 Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist.
An Italian synod spokesman said it was decided that briefings would no longer provide details to journalists about the open discussions so as not to inhibit speakers from speaking freely and so reporters would not "get (the information) wrong."
Legionaries of Christ Father John Bartunek, who was giving the English-language synod briefings at the Vatican, explained the move by saying that "the Holy Father wants a free discussion." He said concern for the open discussion was expressed by "a lot of people," including the secretary-general of the synod, Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, other synod members and the head of the Vatican press office, Joaquin Navarro-Valls.
The Vatican continued to provide summaries of synod speeches, which were prepared by the participants. The full texts of synod speeches were also being released by some bishops.
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