The Synod of Bishops entered its critical second phase on Friday when the bishops formed into small groups to arrive at decisions about what should be in included in a document known as the “relatio” which will be the basis of discussion at the Ordinary Synod on the Family to be convene in October, 2015.

According to the Vatican Information Service (VIS), the “relatio”, which was officially presented today by Cardinal Peter Erdo of Esztergom-Budapest, gives the first response of the Synod fathers to some of the event’s discussions, including same-sex “marriage”, cohabitation, the use of contraception, and admission to Communion for the divorced and remarried.

Overall, the Bishops affirmed that the family is “decisive and valuable” and is the “source of joys and trials, of deep affections and relations,” but at times it is a wounded “school of humanity” that is very complex.

While reaffirming the indissoluble union between a man and a woman, the Synod Fathers are calling for a principle of “gradualness” for couples in failed marriages, with an “inclusive perspective” for the “imperfect forms” of nuptial reality:

For instance, on 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’.” Instead, the bishops are calling for dialogue 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”.

The bishops also put forth suggestions regarding the streamlining of procedures for obtaining annulments.

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 favor of the children. The bishops stressed that this would not be a “general possibility” but applied solely on a case-by-case basis that takes into consideration the distinction between state of sin, state of grace and the attenuating circumstances.

The Bishops held firm on the issue of homosexuality, maintaining that same-sex unions would not be “on the same footing” as marriages 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, homosexual individuals have “gifts and qualities to offer the Christian community” and the Church must be a “welcoming home” for them.

“ . . . (W)ithout 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, emphasizing that the needs and rights of the little ones must always be given priority.”

In the final part, the Report addressed the theme of Pope Paul VI’s Encyclical Humanae Vitae, and focused on the question of openness to life, defining it as an “instrinsic requirement of conjugal love”.  The Fathers are calling for the development of a “realistic language” that can be used to explain the beauty and truth of opening oneself to the gift of a child, and natural methods of “fertility control”.

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 made. In fact,  the itinerary will continue with the Ordinary General Synod, again on the theme of the family, to be held in October 2015.

Many other topics are covered in the Relatio. Click here to read the full text of the document.  

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