lineamenta

Lineamenta are official preparatory documents of the Catholic Church issued before a Synod of Bishops. The term, from Latin lineamenta, means outlines or guidelines, and the documents outline the theme and issues to be discussed as well as how the consultation should proceed.

Lineamenta are typically prepared by the national bishops’ conferences or the Vatican’s Secretariat for the Synod, after the decision to convene a particular Synod. They present the topic’s significance, describe the current situation in relation to the issue, and indicate the method and scope of consultation. The documents are then distributed to dioceses, religious communities, and lay associations to collect input from bishops, priests, religious, and lay Catholics.

The responses gathered from around the world are summarized and transmitted back to the Synod authorities. The Lineamenta thus serve as the first formal stage of consultation, grounding the upcoming deliberations in widespread experience and reflection. They prepare the way for the Instrumentum Laboris, the working document that serves as the basis for discussion during the Synod itself.

Lineamenta have been used for various topics at different Synods, including discussions on marriage, family life, youth, and the broader mission of the Church. They remain a distinctive element of the Vatican’s synodal process, separate from liturgical texts or doctrinal declarations, and are not in themselves binding.