The Synod of Bishop has reached its mid-mark. Now it is expected that the bishops will finalise a document which will serve as the basis for the workshop discussions next week. That document will give one a good idea of where the wind is blowing. At the end of the workshop discussions the members of the Synod will present a working document to Pope Francis. That document will give a clearer picture of possible things to come.

The discussion that took place during this first part of the Synod were described by one of the spokesman during the daily press conference organised by the Press Office of the Vatican "as being animated, impassioned, fraternal, 'lay the cards on the table."

One of the important events at the Synod, as seen from the Maltese perspective, was the speech made by Bishop Mario Grech. He, quite rightly, decided to publish what he said. The Catholics of Malta and Gozo have a right to know what he said. It was not only journalists who criticised the decision of the Vatican not to publish the speeches made by the bishops. Cardinal Muller, the head of the Congregation for Faith, took the same position during a television interview. Journalists are now asking that next week the Vatican will at least publish the conclusions of the different language workshops.

But I digress.

Let me go back to the very good speech by Bishop Mario Grech based on three points – doctrinal continuity, creativity and accompaniment – together with a conclusion based on the Augustinian concept of patientia. His speech can be accessed here.

He spoke at some length about the new language that has to be developed by the Church to communicate its richness particularly to those in need because of the difficult experiences that they are living through. He stressed the urgency of this task while auguring that “may it be the language of a Church that is both merciful and brings healing.”

Many in the Synod, besides the question of language, mentioned the law of graduality, meaning that people can integrate in their lives the teachings of the Church in a gradual way and not overnight. There can be a path, sometimes long and tortuous, that one has to go through before accepting and living the fullness of the Gospel message.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who is attending the synod as President of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, spoke to journalists about this ‘law’.

“I think it’s a law of moral and pastoral theology that permits and encourages people, all of us, in our search for holiness in our lives,” he said, although he pointed out this was not about saying there were different moral laws for different points in a person’s life.

“There is a pathway by which we all walk and I think some of the foundations for the development of that notion have been mentioned already in the first days.”

One of the stickiest points of discussion is undoubtedly the debate about whether or not the Church can modify in some ways its current policy of not allowing those divorced and remarried without annulment of their first marriage.

Most German bishops are supporting the position of Cardinal Kasper saying that there can be limited situations where communion is permitted after those concerned follow a path of penitence.

Cardinal Reinhard Marx, president of the German bishops’ conference, has delivered a document to the Synod indicating this support.

Cardinal Marx told the Synod that “The majority of German bishops are in favour of Kasper’s proposals. We have discussed and examined this theme in depth and I have informed the secretary of the Synod in writing.”

He added: “We have to consider the family as it is today, discussing all the themes and all the challenges with pastoral sensitivity. For Christians truth is not a system of ideas but a real person who we can talk to.”

Several Synod members have expressed their disagreement with the position of Cardinal Kasper.  One of the most notable opponents is Cardinal Gerhard Müller, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Together with four other cardinals he has published a book on the subject literally on the eve of the inauguration of the Synod.  They warned that Kasper’s proposal is a "counterproductive and futile search for short-term consolations".

Canadian Archbishop Paul-André Durocher commented on the subject to journalists. He stressed that most prelates in the synod have not had an opportunity to speak on the subject.

"Where the majority of the synod fathers stand on the issue is anybody's guess," he said.