Pope Francis has invited the entire Church to reflect on the family and its situation today. To help achieve this goal, our Holy Father has called for two worldwide gatherings of bishops and other faithful to take place in Rome, one this October, the second in the fall of 2015. On October 8, 2013, Pope Francis initiated the process and gave the topic “The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization” to the Synod of Bishops. A preparatory document with a survey of questions was then circulated.
At a subsequent meeting of all the cardinals on February 20, 2014, the Pope asked that the study of the nature, context and challenges of marriage, as well as its great blessing and benefits to all, be conducted through a process to allow careful, extensive, attentive and prayerful reflection and conversation. Our Holy Father noted that “we will seek to deepen the theology of the family and discern the pastoral practices which our present situation requires.”
The Pope has determined that the work of the Synod of Bishops is to take place in two stages forming a single organic unity. In the extraordinary general assembly of October 5-19, 2014, the Synod Fathers will thoroughly examine and analyze the information, testimonies and recommendations received from the particular Churches in order to respond to the new challenges of the family. The ordinary general assembly of the synod in 2015, representing a great part of the episcopate and continuing the work of the first stage, will reflect further on the points discussed so as to formulate appropriate pastoral guidelines.
The preparatory document circulated last year contained a set of observations and a significant number of questions. Some were about the effectiveness of the Church’s teachers in helping the faithful understand and make their own the teaching on marriage.
That preparatory document was the work of the small group called the Council for the Synod made up of 15 bishops from around the world. Pope Francis joins us at much of these meetings that take place for several days usually four times a year. A great number of detailed responses to the questions were submitted by the Eastern Catholic Churches, the bishops’ conferences, the departments of the Roman Curia and the Union of Superiors General. In addition, other responses – categorized as observations – were sent by a significant number of dioceses, parishes, movements, groups, ecclesial associations and families, as well as academic institutions and specialists, both Catholic and non-Catholic, all of whom were interested in sharing their reflections.
These responses were summarized in what is called the Instrumentum laboris, or working paper, which is what we will have before us as we join with our Holy Father during these two weeks. It will serve as the starting point and frame of reference for the discussion. My experience, in working in past synods, is that bishops and the other synod consultants have the opportunity to speak before the general assembly. This time is divided between listening to short prepared speeches, called “interventions,” and later in the day to more spontaneous ones. After a week of shared views those attending the synod break into smaller language groups for much more detailed discussion.
The current working paper is divided into three parts and, for an orderly treatment of the synodal assembly, reflects the eight major subjects covered in the preparatory document series of questions. The first part, devoted to the Gospel of the Family, treats the divine plan and the vocation of person in Christ. Within this perspective, the section gives indications – positive as well as negative – of the faithful’s knowledge and acceptance of pertinent teaching on the family from the Bible and the documents of the Church’s Magisterium, as well as the faithful’s understanding of the natural law. The second part discusses various challenges and actual situations related to the pastoral care of the family. The third part is devoted to the topic of an openness to life and the responsibility of parents in the upbringing of their children – characteristic of marriage between a man and a woman – with particular reference to difficult pastoral situations.
As is evident, with all the challenges that were comprehensively covered in the working paper, we have our work cut out for us. There will be much to reflect on, discuss, observe, hear and learn. In the end what should emerge is a synthesis of doctrinal affirmation, awareness of the challenges to family life today, and above all pastoral responses in the context of a renewed commitment to evangelization.
For all of this effort, for all who are a part of the synod process, and for Christian families around the world and in our own archdiocese, I ask your support and prayers. If this is to be a rich outpouring of the Holy Spirit, your part is essential.
