Marriage & Family Synod Day 1: Framing the Discussion

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Marriage & Family Synod Day 1: Framing the Discussion

Cardinal Peter Erdo, the general relator for the Oct. 6-19 gathering at the Vatican, outlined the synod’s upcoming work.

by EDWARD PENTIN 10/06/2014

VATICAN CITY— The Synod on the Family aims to bring to today’s world “the attractiveness of the Christian message” about marriage and the family, “giving answers that are true and full of charity,” said Cardinal Peter Erdo, general relator of the Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.

In his Relatio ante disceptationem (Report prior to discussion), which he read out this morning during the gathering’s first congregation, he outlined the upcoming work of the synod that runs until Oct. 19 on the theme “Pastoral Challenges to the Family in the Context of Evangelization.”

The Hungarian cardinal began by highlighting an important new element to the assembly, namely that the synod fathers had written discourses, sent in advance, with the aim of better responding to the collegial sense of the assembly.

He then discussed its priorities: encouraging the family to be regarded “with hope and mercy,” and underlining that the Gospel of the family is a “true medicine” to the many challenges and threats that it faces.

 

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Vatican Press Conference

At a Vatican press conference that followed the first congregation, various bishops stressed how the synod aims to foster free and open debate.

Cardinal André Vingt-Trois of Paris praised Pope Francis’ request that participants speak without concern about what he might think, and the cardinal reassured reporters that, although the working method of the discussions has changed, debate will still exist.
Cardinal Erdo commented that “certainly no one wants to exclude doctrinal elements in the debates, quite the reverse.” He said the faith of the Church “doesn’t change but we must consider tangible situations of real people and how to show love for our people.”

“We decided to discuss these issues, and to do so with a tender approach to those who suffer,” he said. “I always think that when you come to terms with people who have really had experiences, you can understand the suffering,” he added. “So having this tender approach, the Church must explain the mercy and love that God shows to us.”

Regarding annulment procedures, Cardinal Erdo said there was a “broad consensus” for simplifying them, and even suggested the Church might institute an administrative, “extra-judicial” process in which a local bishop could annul a marriage.

Archbishop Bruno Forte of Chieti-Vasto, Italy, said that if the participants were going to tell Catholics what the Church has always told them, “we could send a text; wouldn’t need a synod."

He added that doctrine has to serve people, and have a purpose. “I believe this is a fundamental point,” he said. "It is easy to speak of the divorced and remarried in the abstract, but it’s entirely different to walk with them.” The synod, he added has to “add mercy” to “accompany” and this, he said, is the synod’s “duty and task.”

Pastoral action is looking at the suffering of Catholics, he said. "The synod deals with pastoral issues,” he said. That doesn’t mean doctrine is ignored but “tangible situations of real people” should be considered.

Asked about cardinals publicly disputing Cardinal Walter Kasper’s proposals on allowing Communion for divorced and civilly remarried couples in certain cases, Cardinal Vingt-Trois said some articles were published “in the heat of the moment” but he added that he “wouldn’t define this as real polemics.”

Cardinal Vingt-Trois insisted there no “great conflict in this respect.” He said that while he didn’t share the “practical conclusions” of Cardinal Kasper himself, he has “no feeling of lack of respect for his opinions.”

At the press conference, it was disclosed that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is not expected to participate in the synod and has not been invited to do so. However, it’s possible he might attend Paul VI’s beatification on Oct. 19, the day the synod ends.