The dioceses of Malta and Gozo said today they would seek the views of the faithful as they prepare for an Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family, set for October 4 to 25.

The Synod Secretariat recently issued the preparatory document, known by its Latin name, the ‘Lineamenta’. 

Gozo Bishop Mario Grech and Bishop Charles Scicluna, administrator of the Maltese diocese, said the document will be translated into Maltese and uploaded on the websites of the two dioceses. The faithful will be asked to post their views on the document at pastoral.secretariat@maltadiocese.org 

The bishops said parishes and parish groups in Malta and Gozo will be asked to hold meetings to discuss the document and submit their feedback.  

The Faculty of Theology will be asked to set up working groups to discuss the current state of the family and the challenges it faces and the pastoral perspective. 

The feedback of the local church for the synod will also include the findings of activities planned by religious orders and groups such as the Cana Movement and the John Paul II Institute on the Family.  

The Lineamenta raised wide-ranging questions on the promotion of authentic family values, the training of clergy in family ministry, the way the Church can be more present among those living far away from the Christian faith and the care of families that are fragile, including those who are divorced and remarried or seeking to care for homosexual members.