On Monday, October 26th, 2015, I wrote about how the Vatican can move forward by improving the quality of the Synod meetings.  I had said that the Vatican needs to form groups of Conferences of Bishops to study key issues on the Synod Agenda, and have those bishops report to a sitting of the Synod or create a Vatican III.  I also remarked that the "laity" need consulting and that theological experts must be integral to the meeting process. (paraphrased)

The National Catholic Reporter has an article written by Father Thomas Reese S.J. on November 12th,  in which he echoes my remarks. It is important to note that Father Thomas Reese  says that the "laity" must be consulted, but, it must be a consultation that represents lay people who are not simply extensions of the conservative institutional voice.  (my words) The lay consultation must be truly representative of a vast and diverse Church. (my words)

Father Reese recommends that ad hoc committees be formed to study current Ecclesial issues between Synod meetings, and they ought to report back to the Synod gatherings.

Finally, Father Reese says that consulting theological experts must be a part of the Synod meeting process, whether prior to the gatherings or during.

The last paragraph of his article on "Three Ways to Improve the Synod of Bishops" is summarized:" the synod membership needs to be changed, committees need to be formed, and theologians need to be invited to the party". 

I'm wondering if Darlene Starrs and Father Thomas Reese should be advisors to the Synod of Bishops!  Perhaps, there's a vacant office at the Vatican!