SUMMARY:
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Relatio post disceptationem: listen to the family and discuss
pastoral perspectives, with a gaze fixed on Christ
-
The vocation and the mission of the family in the Church and in the
contemporary world: theme of the next Synod
-
Consistory for the canonisation of the Blesseds Joseph Vaz and Maria
Cristina of the Immaculate Conception
-
Mass of thanks for the new Canadian saints
-
Angelus: respond to the Lord's invitation with witness to charity
-
Genoa in the Pope's prayers
-
Synod Fathers to draw up the Relatio Synodi
-
Tenth General Congregation: Fraternal Delegates
-
Declaration from the director of the Holy See Press Office
-
Audiences
-
Other Pontifical Acts
______________________________________
Relatio
post disceptationem: listen to the family and discuss pastoral
perspectives, with a gaze fixed on Christ
Vatican
City, 13 October 2014 (VIS) – The “post-discussion report” of
the Extraordinary Synod on the family was presented this morning by
the General Rapporteur of the Assembly, Cardinal Peter Erdo. It
summarises the Synod Fathers’ main reflections that have emerged
during the General Congregations during recent days, and forms the
basis of the final documents of the Synod.
The
Report sets out three main guidelines: listening to the
socio-cultural context in which families live today; discussing the
pastoral perspectives to be taken, and above all, looking to Christ
and to His Gospel of the family.
The
family, therefore, is “decisive and valuable”, the “source of
joys and trials, of deep affections and relations, at times wounded”,
a “school of humanity”, and must first be listened to in its
“complexity”. Exasperated individualism, the “great test” of
solitude, the “narcissistic affectivity” linked to the
“fragility” of sentiments, the “nightmare” of precariousness
in the workplace, along with war, terrorism and migrations
increasingly cause deterioration in family situations. It is here,
according to the Relatio, that the Church must give “hope and
meaning” to the life of modern humanity, ensuring that “the
doctrine of faith” is better known, but proposing it “with
mercy”.
Turning
our gaze to Christ “reaffirms the indissoluble union between a man
and a woman”, but also allows us to “interpret the nuptial
covenant in terms of continuity and novelty”. The principle,
explains Cardinal Erdo, must be that of “gradualness” for couples
in failed marriages, with an “inclusive perspective” for the
“imperfect forms” of nuptial reality: “Realizing the need,
therefore, for spiritual discernment with regard to cohabitation,
civil marriages and divorced and remarried persons, it is the task of
the Church to recognise those seeds of the Word that have spread
beyond its visible and sacramental boundaries. … The Church turns
respectfully to those who participate in her life in an incomplete
and imperfect way, appreciating the positive values they contain
rather than their limitations and shortcomings”.
There
is a need, therefore, for a “new dimension of family pastoral”
able to nurture seeds in the process of maturation, such as civil
marriages characterised by stability, deep affection, and
responsibility in relation to offspring, and which may lead to a
sacramental bond. Frequently cohabitation or de facto unions are not
dictated by a rejection of Christian values, but rather by practical
needs, such as waiting for a stable job. The Church, a true “House
of the Father”, a “torch carried among the people”, continued
the Cardinal, must accompany “her most fragile sons and daughters,
marked by wounded and lost love, with attention and care”,
restoring trust and hope to them.
In
the third part, the “post-discussion Report” goes on to face the
“most urgent pastoral issues”, the implementation of which is
entrusted to the individual local Churches, always in communion with
the Pope. First, the “proclamation of the Gospel of the family”
is “not to condemn, but to cure human fragility”. This
proclamation also involves the faithful: “Evangelising is the
shared responsibility of all God’s people, each according to his or
her own ministry and charism. Without the joyous testimony of spouses
and families, the announcement, even if correct, risks being
misunderstood or submerged by the ocean of words that is a
characteristic of our society. Catholic families are themselves
called upon to be the active subjects of all the pastoral of the
family”.
The
Gospel of the family is “joy”, underlined Cardinal Erdo, and
therefore requires “a missionary conversion” so as not to stop at
a proclamation that is “merely theoretical and has nothing to do
with people’s real problems”. At the same time, it is also
necessary to act in relation to language: “Conversion has, above
all, to be that of language so that this might prove to be
effectively meaningful. … This is not merely about presenting a set
of regulations but about putting forward values, responding to those
who find themselves in need today even in the most secularised
countries”.
Adequate
preparation for Christian marriage is also essential, as this is not
merely a cultural tradition or a social obligation, but rather a
“vocational decision”. Without “complicating the cycles of
formation”, the aim should be that of exploring the issue in depth,
not limiting the issue merely to “general orientations” but
instead renewing also “the formation of presbyters and other
pastoral operators” on the matter, with the involvement of families
themselves, whose witness is to be privileged. The accompaniment of
the Church is also suggested following marriage, a “vital and
delicate” period in which couples mature their understanding of the
sacrament, its meaning and the challenges that it poses.
In
the same way, the Church, continues the Report, must encourage and
support laypersons occupied with culture, politics and in society, to
ensure that those factors that impede authentic family life, leading
to discrimination, poverty, exclusion and violence, are denounced.
Moving
on to the issue of separated couples, divorced persons, including
those subsequently remarried, Cardinal Erdo underlined that “it is
not wise to think of single solutions or those inspired by a logic of
‘all or nothing’”; dialogue must therefore continue in the
local Churches, “with respect and love” for every wounded family,
thinking of those who have unjustly suffered abandonment by their
spouse, avoiding discriminatory attitudes and protecting children:
“It is indispensable to assume in a faithful and constructive way
the consequences of separation or divorce on the children; they must
not become an 'object' to be fought over and the most suitable means
need to be sought so that they can get over the trauma of family
break-up and grow up in the most serene way possible”.
With
regard to the streamlining of procedures for the recognition of
matrimonial nullity, the General Rapporteur of the Synod reported the
proposals made by the Assembly: to abandon the need for the double
conforming sentence, to establish an administrative channel at
diocesan level, and the introduction of a summary process in the case
of clear nullity, and the possibility of “giving weight to the
faith of those about to be married in terms of the validity of the
sacrament of marriage”. The Cardinal emphasised that this all
requires suitably prepared clergy and laypersons and a greater
responsibility on the part of local bishops.
With
regard to access to the sacrament of the Eucharist for divorced and
remarried persons, the Report lists the main suggestions that emerged
from the Synod: maintaining the current discipline; allowing greater
openness in particular cases, that may not be resolved without
further injustice or suffering; or rather, opting for a “penitential”
approach: partaking of the sacraments might occur were it preceded by
a penitential path – under the responsibility of the diocesan
bishop –, and with a clear undertaking in favour of the children.
This would not be a general possibility, but the fruit of a
discernment applied on a case-by-case basis, according to a law of
gradualness, that takes into consideration the distinction between
state of sin, state of grace and the attenuating circumstances.
The
question of “spiritual communion”, for which a greater
theological examination was called for, remains open; again, further
reflection was required on mixed marriages and “serious problems”
linked to the different nuptial discipline of Orthodox Churches.
With
regard to homosexuals, it was underlined that they have “gifts and
qualities to offer the Christian community”: the Church must
therefore be, for them, a “welcoming home”. The Church affirms
that same-sex unions are not “on the same footing” as marriage
between a man and a woman and stated that it was unacceptable for
international bodies to place pressure on pastors to make financial
aid dependent on the introduction of regulations inspired by gender
ideology. However, “without denying the moral problems connected to
homosexual unions it has to be noted that there are cases in which
mutual aid to the point of sacrifice constitutes a precious support
in the life of the partners. Furthermore, the Church pays special
attention to the children who live with couples of the same sex,
emphasising that the needs and rights of the little ones must always
be given priority”.
In
the final part, the Report returns to the theme of Pope Paul VI’s
Encyclical “Humanae Vitae”, and focuses on the question of
openness to life, defining it as an “instrinsic requirement of
conjugal love”. This gives rise to the need for a “realistic
language” able to explain “the beauty and truth” of opening
oneself to the gift of a child, also thanks to “appropriate
teaching regarding natural methods of fertility control” and a
“harmonious and aware” communication between spouses, in all its
dimensions. Furthermore, the challenge of education is central, in
which the Church has a valuable role of support for families, to
support them in their choices and their responsibilities.
Finally,
Cardinal Erdo underlines that the synodal dialogue took place “in
great freedom and with a spirit of reciprocal listening”, and
recalls that the reflections proposed so far do not represent
decisions that have already been taken: indeed, the itinerary will
continue with the Ordinary General Synod, again on the theme of the
family, to be held in October 2015.
The
full text of the Relatio post disceptationem may be consulted at:
The
vocation and the mission of the family in the Church and in the
contemporary world: theme of the next Synod
Vatican
City, 13 October 2014 (VIS) – During the General Congregation of
the Synod, held this morning, it was announced that Pope Francis has
convoked the 14th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops,
on the theme “The vocation and mission of the family in the Church
and in the contemporary world”, which will be held in the Vatican
from 4 to 25 October 2015.
Consistory
for the canonisation of the Blesseds Joseph Vaz and Maria Cristina of
the Immaculate Conception
Vatican
City, 13 October 2014 (VIS) – On Monday, 20 October, in the New
Synod Hall, the Holy Father Francis will preside at a celebration of
Terce and the Ordinary Public Consistory for the canonisation of the
Blesseds Joseph Vaz, Indian priest of the Oratorians of St. Philip
Neri, founder of the Oratory of the Holy Cross of Miracles in Goa,
India, and missionary in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Kanara, India, and
Maria Cristina of the Immaculate Conception, Italian foundress of the
Congregation of the Oblation Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. The
Pope also informed the members of the College of Cardinals on the
current situation faced by Christians in the Middle Eaast, and the
Church's commitment to peace in the region.
Mass
of thanks for the new Canadian saints
Vatican
City, 11 October 2014 (VIS) – This morning in St. Peter's Basilica,
a Holy Mass was celebrated to give thanks for the canonisation of the
Canadian saints Francois de Laval and Marie de l'Incarnation. In his
homily, the Holy Father spoke about missionaries who, like the new
saints, “in docility to the Holy Spirit, have the courage to live
the Gospel”.
“Missionaries
have received this call: they have gone out to call everyone, in the
highways and byways of the world”, he continued. “In this way
they have done immense good for the Church, for once the Church stops
moving, once she becomes closed in on herself, she falls ill, she can
be corrupted, whether by sins or by that false knowledge cut off from
God which is worldly secularism. Missionaries have turned their gaze
to Christ crucified … they have been able to live in poverty and
abundance, in plenty and hunger”.
The
Pope gave two pieces of advice to Canadian pilgrims. “Remember your
leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome
of their way of life, and imitate their faith”, and “Recall those
earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard
struggle with sufferings. Do not abandon that confidence of yours; it
brings a great reward. You need only endurance”.
Pope
Francis concluded by mentioning the many Canadian missionaries, so
that “this memory does not lead us to abandon frankness and
courage”. He added, “the devil is envious and cannot tolerate
that a land can be so rich in missionaries”, and asked for prayers
for Quebec, so that it may “return to the path of fruitfulness, to
give many missionaries to the world” and so that the new Canadian
saints “may help us as intercessors”.
Angelus:
respond to the Lord's invitation with witness to charity
Vatican
City, 11 October 2014 (VIS) – Today at midday, the Holy Father
appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace
to pray the Angelus with the faithful and pilgrims gathered in St.
Peter's Square. Before the Marian prayer, Pope Francis commented on
the day's reading from the Gospel of St. Matthew, in which God,
represented by a king, gives an invitation to participate in a
wedding banquet; however, none of those invited choose to attend, and
some demonstrate indifference or even annoyance. The Pope first
remarked on the three characteristics of the invitation:
gratuitousness, amplitude, and universality. “God is good to us”,
he said. “He freely offers us His friendship. He freely offers His
joy and salvation. But very often we do not welcome His gifts. We
prioritise our material concerns, our own interests, and even when
the Lord calls us, many times it is as if this irritates us”.
He
continued, “Some of those invited even mistreat and kill the
servants who bring the invitation. But despite the lack of response
from those invited, God's project is not interrupted. Faced with
rejection from those He invites first, he is not discouraged and does
not cancel the feast, but instead extends the invitation again, this
time expanding it beyond reasonable limits, sending His servants to
the squares and crossroads to gather together all the people they
meet”.
“God's
goodness has no limits, and does not discriminate against anyone.
This is why the banquet of the gifts of the Lord is universal. It is
universal for everyone. He gives everyone the opportunity to respond
to His invitation, to His call; no-one has the right to feel
privileged or to claim exclusivity”. He concluded, “The goodness
of God does not have limits and does not discriminate against anyone.
We are all called upon to expand the Church to the dimensions of the
Kingdom of God. There is only one condition: put on the wedding
garment: that is, bear concrete witness to charity towards God and
neighbour”.
Genoa
in the Pope's prayers
Vatican
City, 12 October 2014 (VIS) – At the end of today's Angelus, the
Pope addressed the city of Genoa, again afflicted by floods. “I
assure my prayers for the victims and those who have suffered serious
damages. May Our Lady of the Guard support the dear people of Genoa
in their collective efforts to overcome this crisis”.
He
went on to greet all the faithful and pilgrims, especially the
Canadians in Rome for the canonisation of Francois de Laval and Marie
de l'Incarnation. “May the new saints arouse apostolic fervour in
the hearts of young Canadians”.
Synod
Fathers to draw up the Relatio Synodi
Vatican
City, 11 October 2014 (VIS) – The Holy Father has decided that, to
draw up the Relatio Synodi, the General Rapporteur, the Special
Secretary and the Secretary General will be joined by the following
Synod Fathers: Cardinals Gianfranco Ravasi and Donald William Wuerl,
Archbishops Victor Manuel Fernandez and Carlos Aguiar Retes, Bishop
Peter Kang U-il and Rev. Fr. Adolfo Nicolas Pachon, S.J.
Tenth
General Congregation: Fraternal Delegates
Vatican
City, 11 October 2014 (VIS) – The tenth general Congregation
involved hearing seven fraternal Delegates of various Christian
confessions. The intervention of the eighth Delegate, Metropolitan
Hilarion, president of the Department for External Relations of the
Patriarchate of Moscow, will be given in the coming days.
In
their interventions, the fraternal Delegates expressed to the Holy
Father and the Synod Fathers their gratitude for the invitation to
participate in the Assembly. Each one then went on to present the
question of the family in the context of his own Christian
confession.
Overall,
it was underlined that the challenges and hopes attached to the
family unit are common to all Christians: the family, it was said, is
fundamental for society, it is the foundation of communion in
justice. Certainly, there is no lack of difficulties: the economic
crisis is pressing, the mass media reduce moments of dialogue in the
home, at times even proposing models that lead to adultery, and
factors such as wars, migration, globalisation, the drama of diseases
such as Aids and Ebola, and the Islamic fundamentalism present in
some countries continually place the good of the family at risk in
every context.
Common
to all Christians is the need for adequate preparation for marriage
and appropriate reflection on marriage between believers and
non-believers. With regard to divorced and remarried persons, it was
said that their acceptance in the Church may give new hope, promoting
a more serene family life and thus creating a richer society.
Therefore, on the part of all Christian confessions, it is essential
to listen to those who find themselves in difficult family
situations, who are in need of mercy and compassion every day, as the
Church wishes always to help those who suffer, looking both at the
Sacred Scriptures and at the problems of contemporary life.
The
wish was expressed for listening and comprehension, far from any form
of condemnation, in relation to homosexual persons, while emphasising
that marriage is a union between a man and a woman. Particular
attention was shown towards children born in difficult contexts and
for all victims of violence, especially women and minors, as the
defence of the most vulnerable, of those who have no voice of their
own – believers or otherwise – is common to all Christians.
Another
central theme in the interventions by the fraternal Delegates was
that of the proclamation of the Gospel. The family, it was said, is
the first school of faith: it is the place where knowledge of the
Good News is transmitted and disseminated, and it is therefore
essential that Christians share the “joy of the Gospel”, that
“evangelii gaudium” frequently mentioned by Pope Francis.
Some
differences in approach were encountered, for example on the theme of
birth control, underlining the freedom of conscience of believers,
while always respecting the meaning of love and marriage.
Furthermore, in relation to second marriages, it was said by the
Orthodox delegates that these in any case constitute a deviation and
while they are celebrated, it is after a period of accompaniment on
the part of the Church in an attempt to bring married couples towards
reconciliation.
In
particular, the fraternal Delegates of the Churches present in the
Middle East thanked Pope Francis for the prayer vigil for peace in
Syria and throughout the world, held on 7 September 2013; in this
context, the responsibility of evangelisation by Middle Eastern
Christian families within a largely Islamic context was emphasised.
Finally,
the delegates concluded their interventions by expressing the hope
that the extraordinary Synod on the family will prove successful,
especially in view of the ordinary Assembly scheduled for 2015.
Declaration
from the director of the Holy See Press Office
Vatican
City, 11 October 2014 (VIS) – In response to questions from
journalists regarding the meeting between the Holy Father Francis and
the Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, Mr. Nguyen
Tan Dung, the director of the Holy See Press Office Fr. Federico
Lombardi, S.J., issued the following declaration:
“As
agreed, the Holy Father Francis will receive Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung,
Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, on Saturday 18
October 2014. The meeting will allow a deepening of the bilateral
relations between Viet Nam and the Holy See”.
Audiences
Vatican
City, 11 October 2014 (VIS) – Today, the Holy Father received in
audience:
-
Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops;
-
Cardinal Geraldo Majello Agnelo, archbishop emeritus of Sao Salvador
de Bahia, Brazil;
-
Bishop Francesco Moraglia, patriarch of Venice, Italy.
Other
Pontifical Acts
Vatican
City, 11 October 2014 (VIS) – The Holy Father has:
-
appointed Bishop Djalwana Laurent Lompo as metropolitan archbishop of
the archdiocese of Niamey (area 200,000, population 7,637,000,
Catholics 20,600, priests 39, religious 81), Niger. Msgr. Djalwana
Laurent Lompo, currently auxiliary of the same diocese, succeeds
Archbishop Michel Carteteguy, S.M.A., whose resignation from the
pastoral care of the archdiocese, in accordance with canon 401 para.
2 of the Code of Canon Law, was accepted by the Holy Father.
-
appointed Archbishop Vincenzo Pelvi, military ordinary emeritus of
Italy, as metropolitan archbishop of Foggia-Bovino (area 1,666,
population 215,000, Catholics 212,000, priests 154, permanent deacons
10, religious 228), Italy. He succeeds Archbishop Francesco Pio
Tamburrino, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same
archdiocese upon reaching the age limit was accepted by the Holy
Father.
-
appointed Bishop Jan Piotrowski, auxiliary of Tarnow, Poland, as
bishop of Kielce (area 8,319, population 813,525, Catholics 768,743,
priests 729, religious 437), Poland. He succeeds Bishop Kazimierz
Ryczan, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese
upon reaching the age limit was accepted by the Holy Father.
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