The second and final session of the Vatican Synod on Synodality will include a Mennonite representative and underline the Catholic Church’s plan to promote dialogue with other Christian denominations, enhance transparency and take responsibility for mistakes.

The number of representatives from other Christian denominations at the synod has grown from 12 to 16 to include Mennonite World Conference, the World Lutheran Federation, the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria.

The Oct. 3-27 gathering at the Vatican will include MWC representative Anne-Cathy Graber of France, a member of MWC’s Faith nd Life Commission and MWC’s representative to the Global Christian Forum. She is a Mennonite but also a member of the Chemin Neuf Catholic community in Paris.

Pope Francis initiated the synod in 2021, asking all Catholic faithful to weigh in on the most important questions facing the institution, from the clerical abuse crisis to the role of women and the inclusion of marginalized believers.

Synod delegates will gather at St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 2 for a penitential celebration, where members of the church will ask forgiveness for a number of sins, including sins of abuse, sins against migrants and the environment and sins against women and youth.

The event also includes penitence for the sin of “using doctrine as stones to be hurled” and sins against synodality, described as a “lack of listening, communion and participation of all.”

Three people who have suffered from the sins of abuse, war and indifference to migration will present their testimonies, followed by the confession of other sins. Pope Francis will then lead a prayer for the repentance of sin during the celebrations, which are aimed at reestablishing trust with new generations of Catholics.

Religious representatives will join Pope Francis for an ecumenical prayer vigil on Oct. 11 near the Vatican in the place where, according to tradition, St. Peter was martyred. The date is the 62nd anniversary since the opening of the Second Vatican Council, which ushered in a new openness in the Catholic Church, especially toward other religions.