When the XIV Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops opened with a concelebrated Mass at the Altar of the Confession in St. Peter’s Basilica on October 4, it was already clear that there would be three synods: the real synod, the mainstream media synod, and the blogosphere synod. The first and third would Read more
This year’s discussion at the Synod on Family tended to be reduced in Western media to two issues: communion for divorced-and-civilly remarried, and Church teaching and pastoral care regarding homosexuality. Actual topics brought up during meetings were much broader. As well as the ‘Western’ topics, Synod fathers also developed themes such as domestic violence, violence against Read more
It is true that the issue of “remarried divorcees” is mainly a Western concern. It is also true that it has drawn a great deal of media attention. On the one hand, Instrumentum laboris, the summary of topics for discussion at the Synod, presented a highly superficial view. On the other hand, the issue is Read more
Cardinal George Pell says when it comes to October’s Synod of Bishops on the Family, “the synod will massively endorse the tradition” of the Church’s teachings on marriage. He believes synod delegates “will recognize that the Christian tradition of St. John Paul the Great, Benedict, the Council of Trent, is well established … and I Read more
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 Read more
The Catholic Church must find ways of welcoming divorced and remarried, and gay Catholics, Pope Francis said. The Pontiff made the comments in a wide-ranging interview by Argentine daily, La Nacion. Addressing the turmoil his papacy is causing with conservative-minded groups, Francis says he’s pleased the issues are in the open. It’s a “good sign” that Read more
It is important to understand that the Synod is not a parliament according to Pope Francis. Francis made the comments during a press conference to journalists during a 46 minute in-flight journey on the way home from a three day trip to Turkey. “The Synod is a path, it is a journey, firstly. “Secondly the synod Read more
Pope Francis has appointed staunch critic, South African Cardinal Wilfrid Napier to an otherwise unchanged group of organisers for part two of the Synod on the Family in 2015. Napier was one of a number of strong public critics and at a press conference on October 14 said the initial Synod document’s message of openness Read more
The US bishops elected a solidly conservative team to represent the US Church at part two of the Synod in 2015. The decision, reported Monday, comes in the wake of what they see as a confusing part one of the Synod held in October 2014. The US Bishops are of a view that the October 2014 Synod sent Read more