K
Kindness
Guest
I really don’t expect the synod to make any decisions contrary to the Catechism.
- Status
C
CradleJourney
Guest
Since this is very applicable to my own experience, I’m thrilled to hear it being spoken about by the Synod.
M
McCall1981
Guest
Here’s a pretty interesting video on day 2 of the Synod. It has interviews with several Cardinals (including Pell):
saltandlighttv.org/blog/videos/inside-the-synod-day-2-highlights-and-a-sit-down-with-cardinal-pell
saltandlighttv.org/blog/videos/inside-the-synod-day-2-highlights-and-a-sit-down-with-cardinal-pell
E
Eternal_One
Guest
Well, we all agree that Doctrine cannot change. But can Tradition change?
M
McCall1981
Guest
The concepts of “the Holy Spirit protects the Church”, and “the gates of hell will not prevail” are things I’ve been thinking a lot about, but I’ve been unable to understand exactly what they mean.Well, to borrow and modify your metaphor (), it can also be quite damaging to yell “fire” in a crowded theater when there is no fire at all. Everyone panics and starts running for the door and people get trampled over and seriously hurt – all for no reason.
Doctrine cannot change. It will not change. I give the Holy Spirit all the credit for that. And I sincerely trust Him on that. It doesn’t matter what this headline says or what that individual bishop says. When it comes down to it, that’s the reality of the Catholic Church. Jesus entrusted Divine Revelation to the apostles and their successors (our pope and the bishops in union with him). He promised the Holy Spirit would guide them and that the gates of hell would not prevail against that Church. If we really believe that, how can we think for even one micro-second that the pope is going to pull the rug out from under us? It’s just not going to happen.
For a long time I had in my head what I thought they meant. But things occured that demonstrated that I was wrong (things that I thought couldn’t happen, did happen), so I had to accept that my notions had been pretty naive.
Now, it’s hard for me to know what to think about those things because I know I’ve been wrong before, and because it’s hard to trust after you’ve been “burned”.
Maybe I’ve jumped from being too naive to being too cynical, I don’t know.
E
Eternal_One
Guest
We know at some point that the Church must face severe persecution and trial. It would appear on the surface, that the gates have prevailed in that scenario. I suppose the trust comes in believing that God will raise it up again. So maybe the Church is not invincible, it can be defeated on earth, just as Jesus was killed. But God will raise it up.
Like you, I have been thinking of what the gates not prevailing might mean. The gates not prevailing wont stop persecution, nor does it indicate preventing the Church from changing. There might be more to that passage than what was once thought.
C
CatholicScotRB
Guest
I am a young Catholic living in Rome. I come from, as my username might suggest, Scotland.
The Synod that is happening in the Vatican right now is hugely important for Catholics and non-Catholis alike. Remarkably, though, many people don’t seem to know much about it. As always, I am less than keen to believe what is being reported in the mainstream media.
I am finding Rome Reports (www.romereports.com) a useful tool, as there is LIVE coverage from the Vatican and an array of videos that are easy to access.
Good job, Rome Reports!
The Synod that is happening in the Vatican right now is hugely important for Catholics and non-Catholis alike. Remarkably, though, many people don’t seem to know much about it. As always, I am less than keen to believe what is being reported in the mainstream media.
I am finding Rome Reports (www.romereports.com) a useful tool, as there is LIVE coverage from the Vatican and an array of videos that are easy to access.
Good job, Rome Reports!
M
McCall1981
Guest
Summary of the fourth congregation:
visnews-en.blogspot.com/2014/10/fourth-general-congregation-synod.html?m=1
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Fourth General Congregation: the Synod Fathers discuss current proposals on family pastoral and the situation in Africa, threatened by Ebola
Vatican City, 8 October 2014 (VIS) – The general debate continued during the fourth general Congregation, following the order of the Instrumentum Laboris. The theme was “The Pastoral Program for the Family: Various Proposals Underway” (Part II, Chapter 1).
Firstly, the link between the crisis of faith and the crisis of the family was underlined: it was said that the first generates the second. This is because faith is seen mostly as a set of doctrinal mores, whereas it is primarily a free act by which one entrusts oneself to God. This gave rise, among other things, to the suggestion of devising a “Vademecum” dedicated to the catechesis of the family, so as to strengthen its evangelising mission. Furthermore, the weakness of the faith of many baptised persons was underlined; this often leads to the marriage of couples who do are not appropriately aware of what they are undertaking.
Secondly, a great challenge facing families today was mentioned: that of the “dictatorship of unitary thought” that aims to introduce into society those countervalues that distort the vision of marriage as a union between a man and a woman. The crisis of values, atheist secularism, hedonism, and the ambition of power destroy families today, distorting it, weakening people and consequently rendering society fragile. It is therefore important to recover in the faithful the awareness of belonging to the Church, as the Church grows by attraction and the families of the Church attract other families.
For its part, the Church, an expert in humanity, must underline the beauty and the need everyone has for the family, as it is indispensable. It is necessary to reawaken in humanity the sense of belonging to the family unit. In addition, as a reflection of God’s love, which is never an isolated love, the family opens one to relationships and bonds with others, thus becoming the foundation for society.
Mention was also made of the link between priests and families: they accompany families in all the most important stages of their lives, sharing in their joys and difficulties; families, in turn, help priests to experience celibacy as a full and balanced emotional life, rather than as a sacrifice. In addition, the family was defined as the “cradle of vocations” as it is precisely within the domestic walls, in common prayer, that the call to the priesthood is frequently heard.
A further link that was underlined is that between baptism and marriage: without a serious and in-depth Christian initiation, the meaning of the sacrament of marriage is diminished. Therefore, it is to be emphasised that Christian marriage cannot be seen solely as a cultural tradition or a social need, but rather must be understood as a vocational decision, undertaken with suitable preparation that cannot be improvised in a few meetings, but must be carried out over a period of time.
Attention then turned to how work affects the dynamics of the family: these are two dimensions that must be reconciled, through increasingly flexible working hours, new contractual models, and attention to geographical distances between home and work. Furthermore, technology can lead to work being brought home, making family dialogue difficult.
Numerous interventions, especially in relation to Africa, drew attention to the many challenges the family must face in this continent: polygamy, levirate marriage, sects, war, poverty, the painful crisis of migration, international pressure for birth control, and so on. These are problems that undermine family stability, placing it in crisis. In the face of such challenges, it is necessary to respond with in-depth evangelisation, able to promote the values of peace, justice and love, an adequate promotion of the role of women in society, thorough education of children and the protection of rights for all victims of violence.
In the hour dedicated to open discussion – from 6 to 7 p.m. – attention returned to the need for a new language in the proclamation of the Gospel, with particular reference to the new media technologies. With regard to the indissolubility of marriage, it was highlighted that today it would appear that the law is opposed to the good of the person. In reality, the truth of the conjugal bond and its stability is inscribed within the person, and therefore it is not a question of setting the law and the person in opposition to each other, but rather of understanding how to help the person not to betray his or her own truth.
Further reflection was proposed in relation to families who have not received the gift of children despite wishing for them, and those in regions affected by the Ebola virus.
Finally, the image of the Church as light was recalled, in the hope that this may be not only the light of a beacon, that remains constant and illuminates from afar, but also a torch, or rather a “soft light” that accompanies humanity on its path, step by step.
The Pontifical Council for the Family donated to the members of the Synod a copy of the extensive Enchiridion on the family.
visnews-en.blogspot.com/2014/10/fourth-general-congregation-synod.html?m=1
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Fourth General Congregation: the Synod Fathers discuss current proposals on family pastoral and the situation in Africa, threatened by Ebola
Vatican City, 8 October 2014 (VIS) – The general debate continued during the fourth general Congregation, following the order of the Instrumentum Laboris. The theme was “The Pastoral Program for the Family: Various Proposals Underway” (Part II, Chapter 1).
Firstly, the link between the crisis of faith and the crisis of the family was underlined: it was said that the first generates the second. This is because faith is seen mostly as a set of doctrinal mores, whereas it is primarily a free act by which one entrusts oneself to God. This gave rise, among other things, to the suggestion of devising a “Vademecum” dedicated to the catechesis of the family, so as to strengthen its evangelising mission. Furthermore, the weakness of the faith of many baptised persons was underlined; this often leads to the marriage of couples who do are not appropriately aware of what they are undertaking.
Secondly, a great challenge facing families today was mentioned: that of the “dictatorship of unitary thought” that aims to introduce into society those countervalues that distort the vision of marriage as a union between a man and a woman. The crisis of values, atheist secularism, hedonism, and the ambition of power destroy families today, distorting it, weakening people and consequently rendering society fragile. It is therefore important to recover in the faithful the awareness of belonging to the Church, as the Church grows by attraction and the families of the Church attract other families.
For its part, the Church, an expert in humanity, must underline the beauty and the need everyone has for the family, as it is indispensable. It is necessary to reawaken in humanity the sense of belonging to the family unit. In addition, as a reflection of God’s love, which is never an isolated love, the family opens one to relationships and bonds with others, thus becoming the foundation for society.
Mention was also made of the link between priests and families: they accompany families in all the most important stages of their lives, sharing in their joys and difficulties; families, in turn, help priests to experience celibacy as a full and balanced emotional life, rather than as a sacrifice. In addition, the family was defined as the “cradle of vocations” as it is precisely within the domestic walls, in common prayer, that the call to the priesthood is frequently heard.
A further link that was underlined is that between baptism and marriage: without a serious and in-depth Christian initiation, the meaning of the sacrament of marriage is diminished. Therefore, it is to be emphasised that Christian marriage cannot be seen solely as a cultural tradition or a social need, but rather must be understood as a vocational decision, undertaken with suitable preparation that cannot be improvised in a few meetings, but must be carried out over a period of time.
Attention then turned to how work affects the dynamics of the family: these are two dimensions that must be reconciled, through increasingly flexible working hours, new contractual models, and attention to geographical distances between home and work. Furthermore, technology can lead to work being brought home, making family dialogue difficult.
Numerous interventions, especially in relation to Africa, drew attention to the many challenges the family must face in this continent: polygamy, levirate marriage, sects, war, poverty, the painful crisis of migration, international pressure for birth control, and so on. These are problems that undermine family stability, placing it in crisis. In the face of such challenges, it is necessary to respond with in-depth evangelisation, able to promote the values of peace, justice and love, an adequate promotion of the role of women in society, thorough education of children and the protection of rights for all victims of violence.
In the hour dedicated to open discussion – from 6 to 7 p.m. – attention returned to the need for a new language in the proclamation of the Gospel, with particular reference to the new media technologies. With regard to the indissolubility of marriage, it was highlighted that today it would appear that the law is opposed to the good of the person. In reality, the truth of the conjugal bond and its stability is inscribed within the person, and therefore it is not a question of setting the law and the person in opposition to each other, but rather of understanding how to help the person not to betray his or her own truth.
Further reflection was proposed in relation to families who have not received the gift of children despite wishing for them, and those in regions affected by the Ebola virus.
Finally, the image of the Church as light was recalled, in the hope that this may be not only the light of a beacon, that remains constant and illuminates from afar, but also a torch, or rather a “soft light” that accompanies humanity on its path, step by step.
The Pontifical Council for the Family donated to the members of the Synod a copy of the extensive Enchiridion on the family.
M
McCall1981
Guest
Summary of the fifth congregation:
visnews-en.blogspot.com/2014/10/fifth-general-congregation-critical.html?m=1
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Fifth General Congregation: critical situations within the family, the question of mixed marriages, and mercy and truth for the divorced and remarried
Vatican City, 8 October 2014 (VIS) – In the fifth general Congregation, which took place tis morning and which the Holy Father did not attend on account of the general audience, the general debate continued on the themes outlined in the Instrumentum laboris: “The Pastoral Challenges of the Family (Part II, Chapter 2). The Crisis of Faith and Family Life / Critical Situations within the Family / External Pressures on the Family / Special Situations”.
First and foremost, the debate focused on the Church in the Middle East and in North Africa. Both exist in difficult political, economic and religious situations, with serious repercussions on families. Where there are laws that impede the reunification of families, poverty leads to migration, where there is religious fundamentalism and Christians do not enjoy equal rights with Muslim citizens, there are often difficult problems for families resulting from mixed marriages.
Indeed, in these contexts, interreligious or so-called “mixed” marriages are present and on the increase in these contexts. It was said that the challenge of the Church is therefore to understand what form of catechesis may be offered to children born of such a union and how it is possible to respect to the unknown situation of those Catholics who, united in mixed marriages, wish to continue to practice their religion. Such couples, it was said, must not be neglected and the Church must continue to take care of them. A further challenge is also represented by those Christians who convert to Islam in order to marry: also in this case, suitable reflection is necessary.
The question is not simply interreligious, but at times also ecumenical: there are cases in which a Catholic who has contracted a canonical marriage and is not able to obtain a declaration of nullity passes to another Christian confession, remarrying in a Church which permits this. In any case, without prejudice to the shared patrimony of faith, the need to follow the path of mercy in difficult situations was underlined.
With regard to the question of divorced and remarried persons, it was highlighted that the Synod must certainly take the issue into consideration, with the prudence required for important matters, but must also combine the objectivity of truth with mercy for the person and for his or her suffering. It is necessary to remember that many faithful find themselves in this situation through no fault of their own.
Mention was made of the commitment of the Holy See, whose voice is always heard in the defence of families at all levels – international, national and regional – with the aim of emphasising its dignity, its rights and duties, and always noting that, as Benedict XVI said, her “no” is in reality a “yes” to life. Therefore, it was underlined that the Church must combat the educational and religious silence in families, as there is no place for hesitation and greater commitment to witnessing the Gospel is needed. Creativity in pastoral ministry is always necessary.
The Assembly went on to reflect on the indispensable contribution of the lay faithful to the proclamation of the Gospel in the family: in particular, the young, ecclesial movements and new communities provide a service of vital importance, carrying out a prophetic mission that runs counter to the current of our times. Listening and believing in the laity, therefore, is shown to be essential, as it is in them and with them that the Church may find the answers to the problems of the family.
Another theme taken into consideration was that of the precariousness of work and unemployment. The distress caused by the lack of a secure job creates difficulties within families, along with the poverty that often prevents families from having a home. Furthermore, a lack of money often leads to it becoming “deified” and to families being sacrificed on the altar of profit. It is necessary to re-emphasise that money must serve rather than govern.
There was further reflection on the need for greater preparation for marriage, also with special attention to emotional and sexual education, encouraging a true mystical and familiar approach to sexuality. The great contribution of grandparents to the transmission of faith in families was then recalled and it was highlighted how important it is for the family unit to welcome the elderly with solidarity, care and tenderness. The same care must be reserved to the sick, to overcome the “throwaway culture” that Pope Francis frequently warns against.
visnews-en.blogspot.com/2014/10/fifth-general-congregation-critical.html?m=1
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Fifth General Congregation: critical situations within the family, the question of mixed marriages, and mercy and truth for the divorced and remarried
Vatican City, 8 October 2014 (VIS) – In the fifth general Congregation, which took place tis morning and which the Holy Father did not attend on account of the general audience, the general debate continued on the themes outlined in the Instrumentum laboris: “The Pastoral Challenges of the Family (Part II, Chapter 2). The Crisis of Faith and Family Life / Critical Situations within the Family / External Pressures on the Family / Special Situations”.
First and foremost, the debate focused on the Church in the Middle East and in North Africa. Both exist in difficult political, economic and religious situations, with serious repercussions on families. Where there are laws that impede the reunification of families, poverty leads to migration, where there is religious fundamentalism and Christians do not enjoy equal rights with Muslim citizens, there are often difficult problems for families resulting from mixed marriages.
Indeed, in these contexts, interreligious or so-called “mixed” marriages are present and on the increase in these contexts. It was said that the challenge of the Church is therefore to understand what form of catechesis may be offered to children born of such a union and how it is possible to respect to the unknown situation of those Catholics who, united in mixed marriages, wish to continue to practice their religion. Such couples, it was said, must not be neglected and the Church must continue to take care of them. A further challenge is also represented by those Christians who convert to Islam in order to marry: also in this case, suitable reflection is necessary.
The question is not simply interreligious, but at times also ecumenical: there are cases in which a Catholic who has contracted a canonical marriage and is not able to obtain a declaration of nullity passes to another Christian confession, remarrying in a Church which permits this. In any case, without prejudice to the shared patrimony of faith, the need to follow the path of mercy in difficult situations was underlined.
With regard to the question of divorced and remarried persons, it was highlighted that the Synod must certainly take the issue into consideration, with the prudence required for important matters, but must also combine the objectivity of truth with mercy for the person and for his or her suffering. It is necessary to remember that many faithful find themselves in this situation through no fault of their own.
Mention was made of the commitment of the Holy See, whose voice is always heard in the defence of families at all levels – international, national and regional – with the aim of emphasising its dignity, its rights and duties, and always noting that, as Benedict XVI said, her “no” is in reality a “yes” to life. Therefore, it was underlined that the Church must combat the educational and religious silence in families, as there is no place for hesitation and greater commitment to witnessing the Gospel is needed. Creativity in pastoral ministry is always necessary.
The Assembly went on to reflect on the indispensable contribution of the lay faithful to the proclamation of the Gospel in the family: in particular, the young, ecclesial movements and new communities provide a service of vital importance, carrying out a prophetic mission that runs counter to the current of our times. Listening and believing in the laity, therefore, is shown to be essential, as it is in them and with them that the Church may find the answers to the problems of the family.
Another theme taken into consideration was that of the precariousness of work and unemployment. The distress caused by the lack of a secure job creates difficulties within families, along with the poverty that often prevents families from having a home. Furthermore, a lack of money often leads to it becoming “deified” and to families being sacrificed on the altar of profit. It is necessary to re-emphasise that money must serve rather than govern.
There was further reflection on the need for greater preparation for marriage, also with special attention to emotional and sexual education, encouraging a true mystical and familiar approach to sexuality. The great contribution of grandparents to the transmission of faith in families was then recalled and it was highlighted how important it is for the family unit to welcome the elderly with solidarity, care and tenderness. The same care must be reserved to the sick, to overcome the “throwaway culture” that Pope Francis frequently warns against.
A
_Abyssinia
Guest
E
Eternal_One
Guest
[BIBLEDRB][/BIBLEDRB]
Yea, except one has to actually be sorry and ask for forgiveness, in order to be forgiven.
T
Tigg
Guest
I’ll second that!I just have to say “Thank you” to McCall for pulling in all these great updates.
T
Tigg
Guest
**This so needed to be said! ** A couple of weeks ago we heard something similar when our pastor told us “the Church does not belong to the pope, or to the bishops, or to the theologians. She belongs to Christ.”
T
Tigg
Guest
The problem with the quotes, as I see it, is that we think we know and understand the mind of God and that we would so like to impose our own opinions upon His perfect timing. That the Church will eventually triumph is not disputed, but I’ve said many times now, Christ may take her on a circuitous route and us on a journey of suffering and doubt. How can we expect to escape the Agony in the Garden? And did not the Apostles wonder as they watched the Master die on the cross if all was lost? We need to do the three “Ps” – Prepare (our hearts,) Pray without ceasing, and Practice acts of virtue and penance.
M
McCall1981
Guest
(Note, this about yesterday, 10/7)
ncregister.com/daily-news/synod-day-2-casting-a-wide-net/
Synod Day 2: Casting a Wide Net
Discussions among the participants at the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family considered a range of ideas concerning marriage, family life and sexuality.
by EDWARD PENTIN 10/08/2014
VATICAN CITY — The latest discussions yesterday afternoon and this morning at the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family covered a wide range of subjects largely focusing on how to make the Church and the Church’s teaching more attractive to marriage and family life.
The second and third general congregations (sessions) also included testimonies from married couples from Australia and the Philippines.
Taking the themes from the opening chapters of the instrumentum laboris (working document), synod participants reaffirmed that the family constitutes the future of humanity and must be protected.
Only a general summary of the discussions can be made public, as the synod secretariat is not disclosing talk summaries or attributing them.
In his introduction Monday, Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, general secretary of the Synod of Bishops, said, “The dissemination of news about the extraordinary assembly is also different from previous synods. This service will be handled by the Holy See Press Office with the assistance of the Commission for Information.”
“The bulletin of the Synod of Bishops will be replaced by the regular bulletin of the Holy See Press Office containing general information, which will be further treated in daily briefings under the guidance of the director of the Holy See Press Office, in collaboration with synod press liaisons and with the participation of some synod fathers,” he added. “In addition, a Twitter service will transmit, summarily and in real time, the most pertinent news developments in the synod’s work.”
Some participants spoke of the need to “adapt the language” of the Church so that its doctrine on the family, life and sexuality is “understood correctly.” To do this, they said, “it is necessary to enter into dialogue with the world” with a “critical but sincere openness.” That dialogue could be based on common themes such as the “equal dignity of men and women and the rejection of violence.”
It was said in the assembly that the Gospel must be shown rather than explained, and the lay faithful should proclaim the Good News with a “missionary charism,” not “depersonalized,” but through a “concrete witness to the beauty and truth of the Gospel.”
From ‘Defensive’ to ‘Proactive’
The challenge, it was said, was of passing from a “defensive situation” to a “proactive one” and “creating a bridge between the language of the Church and that of society.”
Another speaker said people desire happiness. Christians know happiness is Christ, but they no longer succeed in finding “suitable language” to communicate this to the world. The Church, according to a Vatican statement, must be “magnetic” and work by attraction, “with an attitude of friendship towards the world.”
Elsewhere, it was emphasized that the Church must be close to couples in difficulty, stressing mercy and forgiveness, but in the context of justice.
Marriage, it was said, “remains an indissoluble sacrament,” but since the truth is Christ, a Person, and not a series of rules, it is important to maintain the principles “while changing the concrete forms of their implementation.”
The synod, it was repeated, “does not call doctrine into question,” but reflects on spiritual discernment for the application of such doctrine. “Mercy does not eliminate the commandments,” a synod participant said, but provides the key to their interpretation.
He added that “even imperfect situations must be considered with respect,” such as de facto unions in which couples “live together with fidelity, and the love presents elements of sanctification and truth.” It’s therefore necessary to look at the “positive elements” so their value can be recognized “according to the principle of graduality” — a pathway in the search for holiness.
Also considered was “a sort of ‘ego-latry’ that leads to “defamiliarization” and a “loss of a sense of the covenant between a man (and a woman) and God.”
In addition, “clericalism” does not inspire hearts and was rejected, and in its place were calls for the imitation of Christ and the rediscovery of humility.
On sexuality outside of marriage, it was said this can be discussed “so critically that married sexuality can appear almost as a concession to imperfection.”
Also during the congregation were calls for greater formation of priests in relation to the family and relaunching the transmission of the faith within the family.
Another participant suggested sending a message of encouragement and appreciation to families in Iraq. The Vatican later announced that an ordinary consistory on Oct. 20 will also be expanded to include a meeting on the Middle East to look at the situation facing Christians there. Synod participants will be invited.
Third Congregation
During the third congregation held Tuesday morning, it was agreed that greater preparation for marriage is necessary and that the path of preparation should be “long, personalized and also severe,” but without the fear of leading to the number of weddings being reduced.
Synod participants also discussed the media, and one said Catholics must be protected but also better prepared to offer the Church’s teaching in a more “incisive manner,” presenting doctrine “not merely as a list of prohibitions, but also by drawing closer to the faithful, as Jesus did” and acting with “empathy and tenderness.”
(Read the rest there)
ncregister.com/daily-news/synod-day-2-casting-a-wide-net/
Synod Day 2: Casting a Wide Net
Discussions among the participants at the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family considered a range of ideas concerning marriage, family life and sexuality.
by EDWARD PENTIN 10/08/2014
VATICAN CITY — The latest discussions yesterday afternoon and this morning at the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family covered a wide range of subjects largely focusing on how to make the Church and the Church’s teaching more attractive to marriage and family life.
The second and third general congregations (sessions) also included testimonies from married couples from Australia and the Philippines.
Taking the themes from the opening chapters of the instrumentum laboris (working document), synod participants reaffirmed that the family constitutes the future of humanity and must be protected.
Only a general summary of the discussions can be made public, as the synod secretariat is not disclosing talk summaries or attributing them.
In his introduction Monday, Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, general secretary of the Synod of Bishops, said, “The dissemination of news about the extraordinary assembly is also different from previous synods. This service will be handled by the Holy See Press Office with the assistance of the Commission for Information.”
“The bulletin of the Synod of Bishops will be replaced by the regular bulletin of the Holy See Press Office containing general information, which will be further treated in daily briefings under the guidance of the director of the Holy See Press Office, in collaboration with synod press liaisons and with the participation of some synod fathers,” he added. “In addition, a Twitter service will transmit, summarily and in real time, the most pertinent news developments in the synod’s work.”
Some participants spoke of the need to “adapt the language” of the Church so that its doctrine on the family, life and sexuality is “understood correctly.” To do this, they said, “it is necessary to enter into dialogue with the world” with a “critical but sincere openness.” That dialogue could be based on common themes such as the “equal dignity of men and women and the rejection of violence.”
It was said in the assembly that the Gospel must be shown rather than explained, and the lay faithful should proclaim the Good News with a “missionary charism,” not “depersonalized,” but through a “concrete witness to the beauty and truth of the Gospel.”
From ‘Defensive’ to ‘Proactive’
The challenge, it was said, was of passing from a “defensive situation” to a “proactive one” and “creating a bridge between the language of the Church and that of society.”
Another speaker said people desire happiness. Christians know happiness is Christ, but they no longer succeed in finding “suitable language” to communicate this to the world. The Church, according to a Vatican statement, must be “magnetic” and work by attraction, “with an attitude of friendship towards the world.”
Elsewhere, it was emphasized that the Church must be close to couples in difficulty, stressing mercy and forgiveness, but in the context of justice.
Marriage, it was said, “remains an indissoluble sacrament,” but since the truth is Christ, a Person, and not a series of rules, it is important to maintain the principles “while changing the concrete forms of their implementation.”
The synod, it was repeated, “does not call doctrine into question,” but reflects on spiritual discernment for the application of such doctrine. “Mercy does not eliminate the commandments,” a synod participant said, but provides the key to their interpretation.
He added that “even imperfect situations must be considered with respect,” such as de facto unions in which couples “live together with fidelity, and the love presents elements of sanctification and truth.” It’s therefore necessary to look at the “positive elements” so their value can be recognized “according to the principle of graduality” — a pathway in the search for holiness.
Also considered was “a sort of ‘ego-latry’ that leads to “defamiliarization” and a “loss of a sense of the covenant between a man (and a woman) and God.”
In addition, “clericalism” does not inspire hearts and was rejected, and in its place were calls for the imitation of Christ and the rediscovery of humility.
On sexuality outside of marriage, it was said this can be discussed “so critically that married sexuality can appear almost as a concession to imperfection.”
Also during the congregation were calls for greater formation of priests in relation to the family and relaunching the transmission of the faith within the family.
Another participant suggested sending a message of encouragement and appreciation to families in Iraq. The Vatican later announced that an ordinary consistory on Oct. 20 will also be expanded to include a meeting on the Middle East to look at the situation facing Christians there. Synod participants will be invited.
Third Congregation
During the third congregation held Tuesday morning, it was agreed that greater preparation for marriage is necessary and that the path of preparation should be “long, personalized and also severe,” but without the fear of leading to the number of weddings being reduced.
Synod participants also discussed the media, and one said Catholics must be protected but also better prepared to offer the Church’s teaching in a more “incisive manner,” presenting doctrine “not merely as a list of prohibitions, but also by drawing closer to the faithful, as Jesus did” and acting with “empathy and tenderness.”
(Read the rest there)
S
sw85
Guest
They don’t mean near as much as most modern Catholics, in thrall to neo-Ultramontanism, believe. “The Holy Spirit protects the Church” – from the formal teaching of doctrinal error. It does not protect her from confusion, ambiguity, uncertainty, predation, etc. It does not protect her from the *disregard *of doctrine or the promulgation of error or nonsense under guises other than formal doctrine, which is prevalent today (and which is certainly a fruit of the Devil).
“The gates of Hell will not prevail” against the Church, i.e., the Church is imperishable – a condition which is technically satisfied so long as there exists at least one living Catholic who is a bishop with ordinary jurisdiction. It does not mean that the Church will continue to exist in any particular nation or region or period of time, that it cannot be reduced to total powerlessness, that souls cannot be lost by the billions, etc.
Christ’s promises to the Church were very narrow, because Christ respects human freedom and our capacity to choose the good freely. That’s what it means to say that God loves us – he loves us as we are, as moral agents with free will and responsibility and the capacity to reciprocate his love or to reject it. People think those promises mean that the Church can do no wrong. But the Church *has *done wrong in the past – a lot more wrong than this. What in the world makes anyone think that the Renaissance 2.0 cannot happen?
M
McCall1981
Guest
This is from Card Scherer, and it makes me (very) cautiously optimistic. Not that I think this anullment streamlining thing is a good idea, but it seems like it could be the compromise result, instead of communion for the remarried.
en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/10/08/cardinal_scherer_synod_a_process_of_discernment/1108151
"Still, much talk of reform of Church practices preceded the convening of the Extraordinary Assembly, and that talk has raised both hopes and concerns. “Many people still think that there is no possibility to obtain a declaration of nullity [an ‘annulment’ in common parlance], or there is confusion – people still believe that [a declaration of marital] nullity is the same as a divorce, only it is not,” said Cardinal Scherer. “The Church is clear on this,” he continued, “what is missing is the real pastoral possibility,” for people to avail themselves of existing structures. “It is on this that there is much insistence,” explained the Cardinal-Archbishop of São Paulo, “on making the Canon Law services of the Church more pastoral, in order to help the couples who have a right to a sentence from the Church regarding their situation.”
What does “making Canon Law services more pastoral,” mean, on a practical level?
For Cardinal Scherer, the issue is primarily one of access to the Church’s legal system and education about what that system is designed – and not designed – to do. “In this vein, there is talk of ‘lightening’ the procedures in marriage nullity cases, of access to Church courts, [and] of ways to ‘streamline (It. Snellire – literally ‘to slim and tone’)’ the procedures so that cases do not take too long, or cost too much money [to adjudicate] for many people,” adding that the process can in some cases be extremely costly and time consuming. “This,” he said, “is a properly pastoral concern, rather than a question of legislative change.”
en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/10/08/cardinal_scherer_synod_a_process_of_discernment/1108151
"Still, much talk of reform of Church practices preceded the convening of the Extraordinary Assembly, and that talk has raised both hopes and concerns. “Many people still think that there is no possibility to obtain a declaration of nullity [an ‘annulment’ in common parlance], or there is confusion – people still believe that [a declaration of marital] nullity is the same as a divorce, only it is not,” said Cardinal Scherer. “The Church is clear on this,” he continued, “what is missing is the real pastoral possibility,” for people to avail themselves of existing structures. “It is on this that there is much insistence,” explained the Cardinal-Archbishop of São Paulo, “on making the Canon Law services of the Church more pastoral, in order to help the couples who have a right to a sentence from the Church regarding their situation.”
What does “making Canon Law services more pastoral,” mean, on a practical level?
For Cardinal Scherer, the issue is primarily one of access to the Church’s legal system and education about what that system is designed – and not designed – to do. “In this vein, there is talk of ‘lightening’ the procedures in marriage nullity cases, of access to Church courts, [and] of ways to ‘streamline (It. Snellire – literally ‘to slim and tone’)’ the procedures so that cases do not take too long, or cost too much money [to adjudicate] for many people,” adding that the process can in some cases be extremely costly and time consuming. “This,” he said, “is a properly pastoral concern, rather than a question of legislative change.”
J
Joe_5859
Guest
Ed Peters has had some good commentary on his canon law blog on what could and could not be “streamlined” in the annulment process. The main one seems to be to do away with the automatic appeal in cases where a decree is granted. That seems reasonable to me. By and large, many of the processes in place are only utilized to increase the likelihood that a decree of nullity is granted. If you streamline the process too much, it seems like there will just be more denials, which will result in more appeals and then you’re back to doing all those things anyway.
M
McCall1981
Guest
Ed Peters (and many of us) might look a bit foolish for debating little tweaks to details of the annulment process if much more drastic measures are taken by the SynodEd Peters has had some good commentary on his canon law blog on what could and could not be “streamlined” in the annulment process. The main one seems to be to do away with the automatic appeal in cases where a decree is granted. That seems reasonable to me. By and large, many of the processes in place are only utilized to increase the likelihood that a decree of nullity is granted. If you streamline the process too much, it seems like there will just be more denials, which will result in more appeals and then you’re back to doing all those things anyway.
M
McCall1981
Guest
I’m not able to watch it, but Crux has a video panel with Card Pell and Card Dolan talking about the Synod:
cruxnow.com/church/2014/10/08/special-event-synod-pope-francis-dolan-pell/
If anyone else can watch it, please post an update on what they say.
cruxnow.com/church/2014/10/08/special-event-synod-pope-francis-dolan-pell/
If anyone else can watch it, please post an update on what they say.
- Status