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In preparation for the 2015 Synod on the Family, the Vatican is asking more questions about the same, 2014 Synod, “hot button” issues.
The lineamenta, (preparatory document) including specific questions, will be sent to bishops’ conferences by the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops within the next few days.
It is the second time in two years the Vatican has asked national bishops conferences for input on responding to questions surrounding modern family life.
The lineamenta is a partial summary of the 2014 meeting and partly a series of 46 questions aimed at an “in-depth” examination of the work begun at the 2014 Synod.
The topics of divorce and remarriage, pastoral care of homosexuals, and couples in ‘irregular’ relationships are all mentioned, however, the wording is designed to be clear that the basics of Catholic doctrine are not in doubt; indissolubility of marriage, families open to procreation and the ‘plague of abortion’ are all mentioned.
While not ‘watering down’ doctrine, bishops are asked to reply showing “proper realism” and to avoid an approach merely applying Church doctrine.
“The proposed questions which follow … are intended to assist the bishops’ conferences in their reflection and to avoid, in their responses, a formulation of pastoral care based simply on an application of doctrine,” the document states.
“It is important to be guided by the pastoral approach initiated at the Extraordinary Synod which is grounded in Vatican II and the Magisterium of Pope Francis,” it says.
Keen that bishops’ conferences continue on the path undertaken by 2014 Synod, the Vatican is asking that every effort be made to begin anew, but not from zero and Pope Francis, at his General Audience on Wednesday, began a ‘new chapter’ of reflections, focusing on the family.
The Holy Father told the thousands of faithful present that he wanted to share with them what took place and what the 2014 Synod produced.
The theme of the 2015 Synod is: “pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelisation”.
Bishops’ conferences are asked to have their responses back in Rome by April 15, 2015.
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