At the synod on the family, 192 bishops were praised by Pope Francis for “having worked very hard”. However, he must have also felt a slight whim of disappointment with the result; nevertheless, after this experience the Church will not be the same. This session brought the bishops to ‘half time’ – an ordinary synod will meet again in October 2015.
Cardinal Reinhard Marx, president of German Bishops’ Conference, who withstood the traditional and conservative group headed by German Cardinal Gerhard Müller, of the ex-Holy Office, said: “The show must go on.”
The agenda for the next session is vast, ranging from marriage, remarried divorcees and the Eucharist, polygamy (as requested by the African bishops), homosexuality and contraception.
The result of the final voting indicates two strong trends in the Church. The traditionalists headed by Curia cardinals Müller and Raymond Burke, and others such as the US cardinal Timothy Dolan, South African cardinal Wilfrid Napier and the Italians cardinals Angelo Scola of Milan and Carlo Caffarra of Bologna.
People are asking whether this is a division in the Church. The Pope said: “It’s not a division, but difference of opinions.” It’s one Church in communion: one whole body in Christ, wherein we are all members. It was the Pope himself who exhorted the bishops to speak with liberty and to “be bold”. The Pope listened with empathy, and also as the Italians say, ‘con il terzo orecchio’ (‘with his third ear’).
Churchmen are prudent people and often afraid of change. Pope Francis this time was rebuffed by the conservatives when he asked them, through Hungarian cardinal Péter Erdo, to open the Church to the remarried, and to embrace the notion “that homosexuals have gifts and qualities to offer to the Christian community”.
The so-called ‘earthquake’ occurred at the end of the first week when Cardinal Erdo read out a report as a feedback of the discussions. The report was rejected and the final report at the end of the synod did not reach the required two-thirds majority threshold.
The opposition was harsh and it really started even before the beginning of the synod with the publication of books by five conservative cardinals headed by Müller and Burke.
On the question of remarried Catholics receiving Communion it recommends ‘further study on the matter’ until the next synod
On the possibility of Communion to the remarried, after a penitential ‘journey’ the votes were 104 in favour and 74 against. As to opening the Church to homosexuals the votes were 118 in favour and 62 against. The ‘No’ came mostly from the African and Asian bloc, whose culture does not favour homosexuality.
An editorial in the International New York Times wrote: “The very fact that Francis ordered the Church leaders to address these challenges seems a landmark in Vatican history.” The Pope even went so far as to ask for the rejected language to be published while also cautioning against “the hostile inflexibility” – that is, wanting to close oneself within the written word, and not allowing oneself to be surprised by God.
On the question of remarried Catholics receiving Communion, which was extensively discussed, the document recommends “further study on the matter” until the next synod. One touching life experience at the synod came from Cardinal Christoph Schonborn, Archbishop of Vienna, who said: “As a son of divorcees I tell you: I know how painful it is. I know that the separation of my parents was very painful. Once I was asked what was the most difficult time in my life, and I spontaneously replied the night when I learned that my parents were separating.”
The other main hurdle was the disappointment regarding homosexuality, something that, according Cardinal Scola, the Church is dealing with rather too late.
Cardinal Erdo asked the bishops to embrace the notion that “homosexuals have gifts and qualities to offer to the Christian community”, adding: “are we capable of welcoming these people, guaranteeing to them a fraternal space in our communities?”
This report also mentioned the religious education of the children of gay couples. This whole part was changed in the final report, notwithstanding the Pope’s famous affirmation in mid-flight from Brazil: “Who am I to judge?”
I am confident, however, that the Pope at the next synod will bridge the gap between the two divisions or differences.
Another interesting recommendation of Pope Francis was to publish all the documents, even those clinging to change, for all to see. In an interview with the Catholic paper Avvenire I suggested that at the next synod the plenary sessions should be transmitted direct on Vatican TV.
A good conclusion was the interview given by Cardinal Marx, 61, in La Repubblica. These main quotes make a good ending as food for thought:
“It is true on certain issues we made two steps forward and one backwards. The important thing is we continue to talk: the Pope will decide.
“We opened a road. I am positive. We have to see what will be the situation of the Church in two to three years’ time with Pope Francis. The synod treated very difficult questions, for we never in the Church had such free discussions.
“Not all the Curia cardinals were in favour of giving Communion to remarried divorcees, but there were also some in favour.
“I think we may move ahead with serenity towards the ordinary synod of October 2015.”
Mgr Charles Vella is the founder of the Cana Movement.