Editing Synod (section)

====Synods====
Synods in [[Eastern Catholic Churches]] are similar to synods in Orthodox churches in that they are the primary vehicle for election of bishops and establishment of inter-diocesan ecclesiastical laws.  The term ''synod'' in [[Latin Church]] canon law, however, refers to meetings of a representative, thematic, non-legislative (advisory) or mixed nature or in some other way do not meet the qualifications of a "council". There are various types.

{{anchor|CatholicDiocesan}}<!--[[Diocesan synod (Catholic)]] redirects here-->'''[[Diocesan synod (Catholic Church)|Diocesan synod]]s''' are irregular meetings of the clergy and laity of a [[particular church]] summoned by the diocesan bishop (or other prelate if the particular church is not a diocese) to deliberate on legislative matters.  Only the diocesan bishop holds legislative authority; the other members of the diocesan synod act only in an advisory capacity.  Those who must be invited to a diocesan synod by law are any [[coadjutor bishop|coadjutor]] or [[auxiliary bishop]]s, the [[vicar general|vicars general and episcopal]], the ''[[officialis]]'', the [[vicar forane|vicars forane]] plus an additional priest from each vicariate forane, the presbyterial council, [[Canon (priest)|canon]]s of the cathedral chapter (if there is one), the [[Rector (ecclesiastical)|rector]] of the seminary, some of the superiors of religious houses in the diocese, and members of the laity chosen by the diocesan pastoral council, though the diocesan bishop can invite others to attend at his own initiative. (can. 463)