Supreme Knight Appointed as an Auditor for Synod

Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson was named an auditor for the upcoming 13th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to be held Oct. 7-28 at the Vatican. In total, 49 individuals were appointed as auditors. The announcement was made on Sept. 22 by the Secretary General of the Synod with the approval of Pope Benedict XVI. The theme of the synod is “the new evangelization for the transmission of the Christian Faith.”

Every few years, the world Synod of Bishops meets in Rome to discuss the major issue or issues concerning the Church. Papally appointed lay auditors attend sessions of the world Synod of Bishops. They have no formal voice in its proceedings.

Mr. Anderson was the only Catholic layman from North America to serve as an auditor at the World Synod of Bishops in 2001, 2005 and 2008.

Pope John Paul II appointed Mr. Anderson as a member of the Pontifical Academy for Life in 1998, the Pontifical Council for the Laity in 2002, and as a consultor to the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (2003). Pope Benedict XVI has appointed him as a consultor to the Pontifical Council for Social Communications in 2007 and as a member of the Pontifical Council for the Family in 2008.