There has been a mixed reaction in New Zealand to the Family Synod document relatio post disceptationem – the half-way report drafted by a group of Synod fathers selected by Pope Francis.
Wellington-based Catholic moral theologian John Kleinsman describes the statement as “momentous” and says it’s an exciting time to be Catholic.
Peter Lineham, Massey University historian. says “What Pope Francis is doing is bringing about a change of the guard and the voices that represent a willingness to represent change are moving into key positions in the Vatican.”
Father John O’Connor, from the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch, said the Synod’s comments were welcome but unlikely to change the church’s stance.
“The shift is significant but it’s in terms of language rather than doctrine.
“The problem with what the church presents is not the doctrine itself, but we have often been very poor communicators.”
Lyndsay Freer, a spokesperson for the Catholic Diocese of Auckland, said most clergymen she knew welcomed that shift in wording, but some were struggling with the change.
She agrees with O’Connor, saying some deeply-held catholic beliefs were not going to shift.
“There certainly won’t be any change in the gay marriage because the church teaching will always remain that marriage is that union between a man and a woman,” she said.
The Catholic lobby group Family Life International said it was shocked by the Vatican’s comments.
Spokesperson Michelle Kaufman said the message that came out was not the viewpoint of all Catholics.
“There are concerns that certain people have garnered control of the Synod and what comes out,” she said.
“There are lots of people I know within the Synod that are speaking very strongly for things to stay the way they are.”
Dana Micklin, a Catholic and a lesbian, said her religion and sexuality sometimes did not gel, but hoped the Vatican’s latest comments would help change that.
“I think it’s really important for Catholics to be taught how to welcome us,” she said.
“Having that attitude, that permission, to be welcoming and not to try and judge us and not feeling that they have to correct us.”
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