Synod

For Roman Catholics, a synod is a meeting of elected or appointed Roman Catholic Bishops to advise the Pope. A synod differs from a council of bishops which is convened less frequently and is open to all Bishops. Council decisions (with the approval of the reigning Pope) are binding on Catholic teaching and doctrine whereas synods serve an advisory function to the Pope. Some Protestant churches also hold synods and these are defined as a gathering of clergy and sometimes laity in a given denomination.