Today the Extraordinary Synod for the Family starts in the Vatican. The Synod Fathers will celebrate Mass with the Pope while tomorrow they start the plenary sessions.
Do not expect any radical or even non-radical decisions as the conclusion of this Synod. If you were taken in by the media hype and increased your expectation you will be disappointed. This is not a Synod aimed at changing Church doctrine or practice. The objective of this Synod is to draw up the agenda for next year Synod’s about the Family. It is then that the real action is to be expected.
This does not mean that this Synod is not important. It is.
The Bishops will be discussing the results of the extensive consultative process held in preparation for the Synod, albeit with several limitations.
The working document under discussion arches over many issues of importance for the family. The discussions will show that this is not a one-issue Synod although the issue that has been most widely and popularly discussed is whether under certain limited conditions those divorced and remarried or those living together without being married can receive communion.
I emphasise the phrase “under certain limited conditions”. No one has been advocating the adoption of a “communion for all and no conditions apply” policy.
Kardinal Kasper has been suggesting that a change in pastoral policy should be possible in certain situations if the Church is more strongly guided by a theology of mercy. A number of German bishops have outlined what such situations can be.
On the other hand, the doctrinal supremo, Cardinal Muller has been saying neit, nay and no. He and other heavy weights believe that any change in pastoral action in this matter will undermine Church teaching about the indissolubility of marriage; something strongly denied by those seeing a possibility for change.
Controversy characterised the debate so far. More will naturally follow. The Catholic Church is no stranger to controversy and debate. Let this one be guided by charity. I refer mainly not to the debate that will go on the Synod assembly but the debate that will rage on the social networks.
The interventions of the bishops during the plenary sessions have always been made public and one expects that the same practice will be adopted this time round. This means that we will be able to know what position will be taken by the bishops who so far kept their silence.
What the bishops will say during their interventions will give people a feel of where the wind is blowing. We can also get a feeling whether the reform agenda of Pope Francis is shared by the majority of the Synod’s fathers or not.
I suggest that those who really want to know what’s happening at the Synod will access the Vatican’s news website and other Catholic sites like Catholic News Service and World Catholic News. A simple Google search will direct you to the full information.