Marriage & Family Synod Day 1: Framing the Discussion

Cardinal Peter Erdo, the general relator for the gathering at the Vatican, outlined the synod’s upcoming work.

Cardinal Peter Erdo of Esztergom-Budapest, Hungary
Cardinal Peter Erdo of Esztergom-Budapest, Hungary (photo: Wikimedia Commons)

VATICAN CITY— The synod on the family aims to bring to today’s world “the attractiveness of the Christian message” about marriage and the family, “giving answers that are true and full of charity,” said Cardinal Peter Erdo, general relator of the Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.

In his relatio ante disceptationem (report prior to discussion), which he read out this morning during the gathering’s first congregation, he outlined the upcoming work of the synod that runs until Oct. 19 on the theme “The Pastoral Challenges to the Family in the Context of Evangelization.”

The Hungarian cardinal began by highlighting an important new element to the assembly, namely that the synod fathers had written discourses, sent in advance, with the aim of better responding to the collegial sense of the assembly.

He then discussed its priorities: encouraging the family to be regarded “with hope and mercy” and underlining that Gospel teaching on the family is a “true medicine” to the many challenges and threats that it faces.

He rejected talk of “doom and surrender” within the Church, stressing that gender theory or same-sex unions do not find consensus among the majority of Catholics. And even though doctrine is little known or practiced with respect to some issues, he said, “This does not mean that it is under discussion.” 

“The indissolubility of marriage is not called into question,” he stressed, adding that “practical questions” of an “exquisitely pastoral nature” and “inseparable from the truths of faith” are to be discussed instead. 

Cardinal Erdo called for “greater formation,” above all for engaged couples, and said the family remains a “school of humanity.”

“The family,” he declared, “is almost the last welcoming human reality in a world determined near exclusively by finance and technology. A new culture of the family can be the starting point for a renewed human civilization.”

He urged “active commitment” on the part of governments to support the family and, turning to difficult marital conditions, said a “renewal and adequate action of family pastoral” is necessary so couples feel loved by God and the Church. This should be from a merciful perspective, but not canceling out “truth and justice,” he stressed.

“This means that, in the case of a (consummated) sacramental marriage, after a divorce, a second marriage recognized by the Church is impossible while the first spouse is still alive,” he reaffirmed.

 

‘Clear Guidelines’

Cardinal Erdo spoke of “clear guidelines” so that pastors can offer practical help to couples facing divorce or living in civil marriages or cohabitation. Regarding the divorced and remarried, he said it would be misleading to focus only on the sacramental question; instead, it should be looked at in the broader context of preparation for marriage, helping divorced persons understand the reasons for failure of their first union and identify causes for nullity.

More specifically, he said “distinctions” need to be made between those who are guilty for the breakup of a marriage and those who aren’t and that the Church’s pastoral care “should extend to each of them in a particular way.”

He said it “does not seem hazardous” to believe that “many marriages celebrated in the Church may be invalid,” and he recognizes the need for two appeals on declarations of nullity of the marriage bond “to avoid any type of mechanics or impression of granting a divorce” or to “avoid solutions which are unjust and scandalous.”

The cardinal also underlined the need for the family to be seen as an active part in a network of relationships that need to be supported, rather than as an “isolated unit.” Family tragedies, he said, “are often the result of desperation, loneliness and a painful cry which no one knew how to discern.”

“It is therefore important to rediscover a sense of widespread and concrete solidarity, to overcome any 'privatization of love,' which empties the family of meaning and entrusts it instead to individual choice,” he said.

 

Vatican Press Conference

At a Vatican press conference that followed the first congregation, various bishops stressed how the synod aims to foster free and open debate.

Cardinal André Vingt-Trois of Paris praised Pope Francis’ request that participants speak without concern about what he might think, and the cardinal reassured reporters that, although the working method of the discussions has changed, debate will still exist.

Cardinal Erdo commented, “Certainly no one wants to exclude doctrinal elements in the debates; quite the reverse.” He said the faith of the Church “doesn’t change, but we must consider tangible situations of real people and how to show love for our people.”

“We decided to discuss these issues and to do so with a tender approach to those who suffer,” he said. “I always think that when you come to terms with people who have really had experiences, you can understand the suffering,” he added. “So having this tender approach, the Church must explain the mercy and love that God shows to us.”

Regarding annulment procedures, Cardinal Erdo said there was a “broad consensus” for simplifying them and even suggested the Church might institute an administrative, “extrajudicial” process, in which a local bishop could annul a marriage.

Archbishop Bruno Forte of Chieti-Vasto, Italy, said that if the participants were going to tell Catholics what the Church has always told them, “We could send a text; we wouldn't need a synod."

He added that doctrine has to serve people and have a purpose. "I believe this is a fundamental point," he said. "It is easy to speak of the divorced and remarried in the abstract, but it’s entirely different to walk with them.” The synod, he added, has to “add mercy” to “accompany”; and this, he said, is the synod’s “duty and task.”

Pastoral action is looking at the suffering of Catholics, he said. "The synod deals with pastoral issues,” he said. That doesn't mean doctrine is ignored, but “tangible situations of real people” should be considered.

Asked about cardinals publicly disputing Cardinal Walter Kasper’s proposals on allowing Communion for divorced-and-civilly remarried couples in certain cases, Cardinal Vingt-Trois said some articles were published “in the heat of the moment,” but he added that he “wouldn’t define this as real polemics.”

Cardinal Vingt-Trois insisted there was no “great conflict, in this respect.” He said that while he didn’t share the “practical conclusions” of Cardinal Kasper himself, he has “no feeling of lack of respect for his opinions.”

At the press conference, it was disclosed that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is not expected to participate in the synod and has not been invited to do so. However, it is possible he might attend Paul VI’s beatification on Oct. 19, the day the synod ends.

Edward Pentin is the Register’s Rome correspondent.