ABSTRACT
The first step in this direction was the limitation of the role of theologians, who could not be excluded from the council, to a very few experts or special secretaries appointed by the Curia. Moreover, observers from other churches have been excluded. In 1967 Paul VI at least expressed regret that they had not been invited. Finally, there was an opportunity for this same first synod to be open for a few days to the ‘Third International Congress for the Lay Apostolate’ scheduled by the pope for some days of the same month of October. However, the meeting was limited to a service and a reception, and as the congress wanted to present to the synod two petitions arising from a consensus (one on mixed marriages and one on birth control), there was not even a question-and-answer session, let alone an official presentation and acceptance.
