The Synod on the Family’s final report is here!
After weeks (or really, over a year) of anticipation, the Synod on the Family is finally drawing to a close. Although the Synod won’t be officially over until the closing Mass tomorrow, the final report, called the relazione finale, has just been released. I’ve only begun exploring it, but a few things to note right away:
- Right now, it’s just in Italian. An English translation is likely forthcoming, but if you want a sneak preview, Google Translate will probably give you a rough sense of the text.
- At the end of the document, you can see the vote count. The Synod Fathers voted on a paragraph-by-paragraph basis.
- Interestingly, the only paragraphs that were unanimous were the first two introductory paragraphs, paragraph 62 (on the importance of openness to life in the family), and paragraphs 66-67 (on bringing up children).
- Unsurprisingly, the most controversial paragraphs were paras. 84-86, on integrating the divorced and “remarried” into the life of the Church. Other controversial sections include para. 75, on access to Baptism to those in complex marital situations; and paras. 70-71, on cohabitation (while rejecting it as contrary to the Christian ideal, it recognized that a couple that lives together might be striving for something closer to what Christ calls them).
- With the exceptions of the above paragraphs, it appears that the Synod Fathers were in overwhelming (but generally not unanimous) agreement on the document. Even in the case of the controversial paragraphs, each one was approved by at least two-thirds of the Fathers. (The most controversial paragraph, para. 85, was approved on a 178-80 vote).
- While I’ve only skimmed, the document seems to do exactly what you might expect. It reaffirms the teachings of the Catholic Church, while acknowledging some of the particularly difficult situations in which people find themselves (sometimes, due to factors entirely outside of their own concern).
- I recently chastised those who thought that the Synod on the Family would somehow lead the Church into heresy (which confuses the nature of the Synodal process, and more importantly, underestimates the power of the Holy Spirit). Given that, I’m happy to share this example of Robert Royal’s humility, in admitting that his prior panicking over the Synod was ill-informed and lacking in faith: “It’s very rarely pleasant to have to issue a self-correction, but I’m quite happy to do so today, especially since the error was to underestimate the workings of the Holy Spirit – and even of a Synod of Bishops.” May he be the first of many!
- By the way, the Synod Fathers also released a statement on the situations in the Middle East, Africa, and Ukraine. Lagniappe!
The document is not 100% Catholic. Therefore, it is not Catholic. And when did the Catholic Church become an NGO that determines Truth based on a super majority vote?
Good evening Woody,
I was just wondering what you mean by “the document is not 100% Catholic”? It would seem to me (an history bears me out) that what is considered “Catholic” is only so considered retrospectively. That is, we look back at what the Church of Rome has been doing and we call it “Catholic,” insofar as the activities of the Church of Rome spread out to the particular churches in communion with her.
As a second comment, voting has been a major part of determining doctrine since the First Council of Nicaea (actually since the proto-Council of Jerusalem, recounted in the book of Acts). The fact that voting is a part of the truth-inquiry process, should not be worrisome. We know that when the bishops act as a college united with its head (the Supreme Pontiff) it is protected with infallibility (see Lumen Gentium paragraph 22). Ultimately, the only way to determine collegiality is to identify the common mind of the bishops, which is done (and has been done for centuries) through a vote.
Woody,
To put the matter a bit more bluntly:
1. It’s not true that the document isn’t 100% Catholic, or at least, I have no idea how you’re coming to that conclusion.
2. It’s not true that, if the document isn’t 100% Catholic, that it’s therefore 0% Catholic.
3. Historically, the Church has engaged in voting in her Synods for roughly two thousand years, a bit longer than NGOs have been in existence. Given that, your question, “when did the Catholic Church become an NGO” is an illogical one.
Woody is right, church is no democracy.
That is why Vatican flag contains tiara (crown).
Please read also what pre Vatican Counsel II Popes say about collegiality
PRAISE GOD
JESUS IS LORD
In a sad world where divorce and living together before marriage is rampant,
may God in His mercy bring back families to Himself.
May the evil one who is attacking families knowing rightfully
that they are domestic churches, be completely ROUTED by the
Holy Mass and the Holy Rosary.
Vimala Padmaraj, Catholic for 76 years. San Thome, Chennai, INDIA
Did the synod fathers mention that parents must get their children to holy mass every sunday and holy day of obligation?
Just wondering.
Doyle and Joe:
How dare each of you question my comment which was based on my right formed conscience? Both of you lack mercy. But, I forgive you. I think.
[url=http://www.gginza.com/%E6%99%82%E8%A8%88/%E3%83%AD%E3%83%AC%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9/daytona/0603615e28537070.html]ガガミラノスーパーコピー これは2015年のゴールドバージョンの「最初のオメガでスペースを「オメガスピードマスタームーンウォッチの数えられた版ではありませんが本当に最初のそのタイプ。それは、オメガスピードマスタームーンウォッチの数えられた版を参照年に出ましたが、私は思っています。このハンサムなのですが、まだ作られていると私は思っていませんが短命な時計は、私の意見では、設計研究オメガスピードマスター」をリリースした57の軸クロノグラフの前にあった（ここではレビュー）。オメガの面白い何をしましたが、実際には。最も顕著な要素「スタイルのダイヤルムーンウォッチにマッチした初期の「スピードマスター手です、しかし、より詳細な検査は、本当に一部のコレクターがエキサイトしなければ面白いの資質の数を明らかにします。それらの性質の各実施の上のこの18 kのセドナゴールドバージョンへの衝撃的なダイヤルとありました。[/url]
[url=http://www.brandiwc.com/brand-super-10-copy-0.html]それは、内部の回転ベゼルで1000メートル防水のダイバーズウオッチができない多くは言います。IWC時計コピーなぜですか？まあ、それは内部のベゼルを回転するクラウンに関係があります。時間よりも設定でき、クラウンと違ってきつくねじ込まれ高耐水性を確実に、内部のベゼルを調整するための冠を機能的にする必要があり、深い水の中にあった。このジレンマの一部を全くアカデミックな人と住んでいるディープダイブすることさえできませんので。だからあなたは内部のベゼルを300メートルを確実に水の抵抗のために冠を持っていることが理論的には、それからねじ止めとそれを越えてする必要があります。lum-tecじゃないような些細なことに興味を持っています。それは、内部の回転ベゼルで1000 mのダイバーウォッチを作りたいです。ロレックス スーパーコピー私は、彼らが挑戦の攻撃方法を見るのが待ち切れないです。[/url]
[url=http://www.ooobrand.com/bags/list_9_32.html]もっと錦上に花を添えるの来場者は、また感じる「Rolex（ロレックス）愛の中国」というメッセージ、そして有事での証。まず、Rolex（ロレックス）が中国で多額の投資。ロレックスコピー次に、それと競争相手と同じで、積極的に賛助中国スター、彼らを招待ブランド。を含む世界ランキング第五の中国网坛名将李娜（2011年フランスオープン女子シングルス優勝、そしてここから1位になって、グランドスラム大会に優勝したアジア選手）、そのチームメイト郑洁（かつて摘みのグランドスラムダブルス）、中国の順位の第1のゴルファーの梁文冲や、国際上で高い名声を有し中国人ピアニスト王羽佳とユンディ・リ。[/url]
[url=http://www.brandiwc.com/brand-super-18-copy-0.html]一項ごとに作品だけ1種あるいは多種の衰えぬ人気のタブ技術、例えば垂直使用雕刻刀の斜め曲線エッチング術、明るさと同時にアップに際立って飾り物；や透かし雕り技術、必要でまずカッター彫っ彫刻して飾るモデル、更に磨き滑らかな波紋ヤスリ。さまざまな花模様を反映している別のスキルは、例えば「勿忘草」柄の内を見せたエナメルケースエナメル大師非凡な技芸風変わりな黒金ケースは、鉛、銅、銀、硫黄やアンモニア塩の混合物にモデルに象眼して、それからエナメル大師窯に焼き、余分の材料をヤスリで磨き、より滑らかな表面を、植物の図案が現れる。宝石をちりばめ部分、ターコイズとガーネットを体現した芸術家に鮮やかな色を活用する。スーパーコピー時計は1項、靑いエナメル文字盤の黄金のブローチ表には、明るい色の宝石が真に迫っていて演じたみずみずしい花一輪エデンを静かに咲く。[/url]
[url=http://www.eevance.com/News/f062936a96d3c8bd.html]ガス針表その寒さ、耐高圧、堅固な精確な特徴、人類の極限スポーツにも優れた性能。エルメススーパーコピー1960年5月25日午前4時20分、針に伴うガス表王富洲など中国登山隊員を実現した初の東北から稜線登って標高8848メートルのエベレストの夢を発揮し、上質な夜光機能、正確に記録した神聖な歴史時刻を北麓から登頂世界人類屋根の快挙。[/url]
http://www.maldivesembassy.jp/yuano/index.html
http://www.maldivesembassy.jp/yuano/m2RNK5mBHp.html