10/17/2014 Synod14 - Eleventh General Assembly: "Relatio post disceptationem" of the General Rapporteur, Card.

Pter Erd
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Synod14EleventhGeneralAssembly:"Relatiopost
disceptationem"oftheGeneralRapporteur,Card.Pter
Erd,13.10.2014
[B0751]
[Unofficialtranslation]
Introduction
PartI
Listening:thecontextandchallengestothefamily
Thesocioculturalcontext
Therelevanceofemotionallife
Pastoralchallenges
PartII
ThegazeonChrist:theGospeloftheFamily
ThegazeonJesusandgradualnessinthehistoryofsalvation
ThefamilyinGodssalvificplan
Thediscernmentofvaluespresentinwoundedfamiliesandirregularsituations
Truthandbeautyofthefamilyandmercy
PartIII
Facingthesituation:pastoralperspectives
ProclaimingtheGospelofthefamilytoday,invariouscontexts
Guidingengagedcouplesintheirpreparationformarriage
AccompanyingtheMarriedCoupleintheInitialYearsofMarriage
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Positiveaspectsofcivilunionsandcohabitation
Caringforbrokenfamilies(separatedcouples,thedivorcedwhohavenotremarried,
thedivorcedandremarried)
Providingforhomosexualpersons
Thetransmissionoflifeandthechallengeofdecliningbirthrate
Thechallengeofeducationandtheroleofthefamilyinevangelization
Conclusion
***

Introduction
1.DuringtheprayervigilheldinStPetersSquareon4October2014inpreparationfor
theSynodonthefamily,PopeFrancisevokedthecentralityoftheexperienceoffamilyinall
lives,inasimpleandconcretemanner:Eveningfallsonourassembly.Itisthehourat
whichonewillinglyreturnshometomeetatthesametable,inthedepthofaffection,ofthe
goodthathasbeendoneandreceived,oftheencounterswhichwarmtheheartandmakeit
grow,goodwinewhichhastenstheunendingfeastinthedaysofman.Itisalsothe
weightiesthourforonewhofindshimselffacetofacewithhisownloneliness,inthebitter
twilightofshattereddreamsandbrokenplanshowmanypeopletrudgethroughthedayin
theblindalleyofresignation,ofabandonment,evenresentment:inhowmanyhomesthe
wineofjoyhasbeenlessplentiful,andtherefore,alsothezesttheverywisdomforlife
[].Letusmakeourprayerheardforoneanotherthisevening,aprayerforall.
2.Thesourceofjoysandtrials,ofdeepaffectionsandrelationsattimeswounded
thefamilyistrulyaschoolofhumanity(Familiascholaquaedamuberiorishumanitatisest,
VaticanCouncilII,ConstitutionontheChurchintheModernWorld,GaudiumetSpes,52),of
whichweareingreatneed.Despitethemanysignsofcrisisintheinstitutionofthefamilyin
variouscontextsoftheglobalvillage,thedesireforfamilyremainsalive,especiallyamong
theyoung,andisattherootoftheChurchsneedtoproclaimtirelesslyandwithprofound
convictiontheGospelofthefamilyentrustedtoherwiththerevelationofGodslovein
JesusChrist.
3.TheBishopofRomecalledupontheSynodofBishopstoreflectuponthesituationof
thefamily,decisiveandvaluable,initsExtraordinaryGeneralAssemblyofOctober2014,a
reflectionwhichwillthenbepursuedingreaterdepthintheOrdinaryGeneralAssembly
scheduledtotakeplaceinOctober2015,aswellasduringthefullinterveningyearbetween
thetwosynodalevents.TheconvenireinunumaroundtheBishopofRomeisalreadyan
eventofgrace,inwhichepiscopalcollegialityismademanifestinapathofspiritualand
pastoraldiscernment:thusPopeFrancisdescribedthesynodalexperience,indicatingits
tasksinthedualprocessoflisteningtothesignsofGodandthehistoryofmankindandin
theresultingdualanduniquefidelity.
4.Inthelightofthesamediscoursewehavegatheredtogethertheresultsofour
reflectionsandourdialoguesinthefollowingthreeparts:listening,tolookatthesituationof
thefamilytoday,inthecomplexityofitslightandshadelooking,ourgazefixedonChrist,to
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reevaluatewithrenewedfreshnessandenthusiasmwhattherevelationtransmittedinthe
faithoftheChurchtellsusaboutthebeautyanddignityofthefamilyanddiscussioninthe
lightoftheLordJesustodiscernthewaysinwhichtheChurchandsocietycanrenewtheir
commitmenttothefamily.

PartI
Listening:thecontextandchallengestothefamily
Thesocioculturalcontext
5.Anthropologicalandculturalchangetodayinfluencesallaspectsoflifeand
requiresananalyticanddiversifiedapproach,abletodiscernthepositiveformsofindividual
freedom.Itisnecessarytobeawareofthegrowingdangerrepresentedbyanexasperated
individualismthatdistortsfamilybondsandendsupconsideringeachcomponentofthe
familyasanisolatedunit,leadinginsomecasestotheprevalenceofanideaofthesubject
formedaccordingtohisorherownwishes,whichareassumedasabsolute.
6.Themostdifficulttestforfamiliesinourtimeisoftensolitude,whichdestroys
andgivesrisetoageneralsensationofimpotenceinrelationtothesocioeconomicsituation
thatoftenendsupcrushingthem.Thisisduetogrowingprecariousnessintheworkplace
thatisoftenexperiencedasanightmare,orduetoheavytaxationthatcertainlydoesnot
encourageyoungpeopletomarriage.
7.Someculturalandreligiouscontextsposeparticularchallenges.InAfrican
societiesthepracticeofpolygamyremains,alongwith,insometraditionalcontexts,the
customofmarriageinstages.Inothercontextsthepracticeofarrangedmarriages
persists.IncountriesinwhichCatholicismisaminorityreligion,therearemanymixed
marriageswithallthedifficultiesthatthesemayleadtointermsoflegalform,theeducation
ofchildrenandmutualrespectfromthepointofviewofreligiousfreedom,butalsowiththe
greatpotentialthatderivesfromtheencounterbetweenthedifferencesinfaiththatthese
storiesoffamilylifepresent.Inmanycontexts,andnotonlyintheWest,thepracticeof
cohabitationbeforemarriage,orindeedcohabitationnotorientatedtowardsassumingthe
formofaninstitutionalbond,isincreasinglywidespread.
8.Manychildrenarebornoutsidemarriage,especiallyincertaincountries,and
therearemanywhosubsequentlygrowupwithjustoneoftheirparentsorinanenlargedor
reconstitutedfamilycontext.Thenumberofdivorcesisgrowinganditisnotrareto
encountercasesinwhichdecisionsaretakensolelyonthebasisofeconomicfactors.The
conditionofwomenstillneedstobedefendedandpromoted,assituationsofviolencewithin
thefamilyarenotrare.Childrenarefrequentlytheobjectofcontentionbetweenparents,and
arethetruevictimsoffamilybreakdown.Societiesrivenbyviolenceduetowar,terrorismor
thepresenceoforganizedcrimeexperiencedeterioratingfamilysituations.Furthermore,
migrationisanothersignofthetimes,tobefacedandunderstoodintermsoftheburdenof
consequencesforfamilylife.
Therelevanceofemotionallife
9.Facedwiththesocialframeworkoutlinedabove,agreaterneedisencountered
amongindividualstotakecareofthemselves,toknowtheirinnerbeing,andtoliveingreater
harmonywiththeiremotionsandsentiments,seekingarelationalqualityinemotionallife.In
thesameway,itispossibletoencounterawidespreaddesireforfamilyaccompaniedbythe
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searchforoneself.Buthowcanthisattentiontothecareforoneselfbecultivatedand
maintained,alongsidethisdesireforfamily?ThisisagreatchallengefortheChurchtoo.The
dangerofindividualismandtheriskoflivingselfishlyaresignificant.
10.Todaysworldappearstopromotelimitlessaffectivity,seekingtoexploreallits
aspects,includingthemostcomplex.Indeed,thequestionofemotionalfragilityisvery
current:anarcissistic,unstableorchangeableaffectivitydonotalwayshelpgreatermaturity
tobereached.Inthiscontext,couplesareoftenuncertainandhesitant,strugglingtofind
waystogrow.Manytendtoremainintheearlystagesofemotionalandsexuallife.Thecrisis
inthecoupledestabilizesthefamilyandmaylead,throughseparationsanddivorce,to
seriousconsequencesforadults,childrenandsocietyasawhole,weakeningtheindividual
andsocialbonds.Thedeclineinpopulationnotonlycreatesasituationinwhichthe
alternationofgenerationsisnolongerassured,butovertimealsorisksleadingtoeconomic
impoverishmentandalossofhopeinthefuture.
Pastoralchallenges
11.InthiscontexttheChurchisawareoftheneedtoofferameaningfulwordof
hope.ItisnecessarytosetoutfromtheconvictionthatmancomesfromGodandthat,
therefore,areflectionabletoreframethegreatquestionsonthemeaningofhuman
existence,mayfindfertilegroundinhumanity'smostprofoundexpectations.Thegreat
valuesofmarriageandtheChristianfamilycorrespondtothesearchthatdistinguishes
humanexistenceeveninatimemarkedbyindividualismandhedonism.Itisnecessaryto
acceptpeopleintheirconcretebeing,toknowhowtosupporttheirsearch,toencouragethe
wishforGodandthewilltofeelfullypartoftheChurch,alsoonthepartofthosewhohave
experiencedfailureorfindthemselvesinthemostdiversesituations.Thisrequiresthatthe
doctrineofthefaith,thebasiccontentofwhichshouldbemadeincreasinglybetterknown,
beproposedalongsidewithmercy.

PARTII
ThegazeuponChrist:theGospeloftheFamily
ThegazeuponJesusandgradualnessinthehistoryofsalvation
12.Inordertowalkamongcontemporarychallenges,thedecisiveconditionisto
maintainafixedgazeonJesusChrist,topauseincontemplationandinadorationofHisFace.
...Indeed,everytimewereturntothesourceoftheChristianexperience,newpathsand
undreamedofpossibilitiesopenup(PopeFrancis,Addressof4October2014).Jesuslooked
uponthewomenandthemenhemetwithloveandtenderness,accompanyingtheirsteps
withpatienceandmercy,inproclaimingthedemandsoftheKingdomofGod.
13.Fromthemomentthattheorderofcreationisdeterminedbyorientationtowards
Christ,itbecomesnecessarytodistinguishwithoutseparatingthevariouslevelsthrough
whichGodcommunicatesthegraceofthecovenanttohumanity.Throughthelawof
gradualness(cf.FamiliarisConsortio,34),typicalofdivinepedagogy,thismeansinterpreting
thenuptialcovenantintermsofcontinuityandnovelty,intheorderofcreationandinthatof
redemption.
14.JesusHimself,referringtotheprimordialplanforthehumancouple,reaffirms
theindissolubleunionbetweenmanandwoman,whileunderstandingthatMosespermitted
youtodivorceyourwivesbecauseyourheartswerehard.Butitwasnotthiswayfromthe
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beginning(Mt19,8).Inthisway,Heshowshowdivinecondescensionalwaysaccompanies
thepathofhumanity,directingittowardsitsnewbeginning,notwithoutpassingthroughthe
cross.
ThefamilyinGodssalvificplan
15.Since,bytheircommitmenttomutualacceptanceandwiththegraceofChrist
couplespromisefidelitytooneanotherandopennesstolife,theyacknowledgeas
constitutiveelementsofmarriagethegiftsGodoffersthem,takingtheirmutualresponsability
seriously,inHisnameandbeforetheChurch.Now,infaithitispossibletoassumethegoods
ofmarriageascommitmentsbestmaintainedwiththehelpofthegraceofthesacrament.
Godconsecrateslovebetweenspousesandconfirmsitsindissolubility,offeringthemhelpin
livinginfidelityandopennesstolife.Therefore,thegazeoftheChurchturnsnotonlytothe
couple,buttothefamily.
16.Weareabletodistinguishthreefundamentalphasesinthedivineplanforthe
family:thefamilyoforigins,whenGodthecreatorinstitutedtheprimordialmarriagebetween
AdamandEve,asasolidfoundationforthefamily:hecreatedthemmaleandfemale(cg.Gn
1,24312,4b)thehistoricfamily,woundedbysin(cf.Gn3)andthefamilyredeemedby
Christ(cf.Eph5,2132),intheimageoftheHolyTrinity,themysteryfromwhicheverytrue
lovesprings.Thesponsalcovenant,inauguratedincreationandrevealedinthehistoryof
GodandIsrael,reachesitsfullestexpressionwithChristintheChurch.
Thediscernmentofvaluespresentinwoundedfamiliesandinirregularsituations
17.Inconsideringtheprincipleofgradualnessinthedivinesalvificplan,oneasks
whatpossibilitiesaregiventomarriedcoupleswhoexperiencethefailureoftheirmarriage,
orratherhowitispossibletoofferthemChristshelpthroughtheministryoftheChurch.In
thisrespect,asignificanthermeneutickeycomesfromtheteachingofVaticanCouncilII,
which,whileitaffirmsthatalthoughmanyelementsofsanctificationandoftrutharefound
outsideofitsvisiblestructure...theseelements,asgiftsbelongingtotheChurchofChrist,
areforcesimpellingtowardCatholicunity(LumenGentium,8).
18.Inthislight,thevalueandconsistencyofnaturalmarriagemustfirstbe
emphasized.Someaskwhetherthesacramentalfullnessofmarriagedoesnotexcludethe
possibilityofrecognizingpositiveelementseventheimperfectformsthatmaybefound
outsidethisnuptialsituation,whichareinanycaseorderedinrelationtoit.Thedoctrineof
levelsofcommunion,formulatedbyVaticanCouncilII,confirmsthevisionofastructured
wayofparticipatingintheMysteriumEcclesiaebybaptizedpersons.
19.Inthesame,perspective,thatwemayconsiderinclusive,theCouncilopensup
thehorizonforappreciatingthepositiveelementspresentinotherreligions(cf.Nostra
Aetate,2)andcultures,despitetheirlimitsandtheirinsufficiencies(cf.RedemptorisMissio,
55).Indeed,lookingatthehumanwisdompresentinthese,theChurchlearnshowthefamily
isuniversallyconsideredasthenecessaryandfruitfulformofhumancohabitation.Inthis
sense,theorderofcreation,inwhichtheChristianvisionofthefamilyisrooted,unfolds
historically,indifferentculturalandgeographicalexpressions.
20.Realizingtheneed,therefore,forspiritualdiscernmentwithregardto
cohabitation,civilmarriagesanddivorcedandremarriedpersons,itisthetaskoftheChurch
torecognizethoseseedsoftheWordthathavespreadbeyonditsvisibleandsacramental
boundaries.FollowingtheexpansivegazeofChrist,whoselightilluminateseveryman(cf.Jn
1,9cf.GaudiumetSpes,22),theChurchturnsrespectfullytothosewhoparticipateinher
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lifeinanincompleteandimperfectway,appreciatingthepositivevaluestheycontainrather
thantheirlimitationsandshortcomings.
Truthandbeautyofthefamilyandmercy
21.TheGospelofthefamily,whileitshinesinthewitnessofmanyfamilieswholive
coherentlytheirfidelitytothesacrament,withtheirmaturefruitsofauthenticdailysanctity
mustalsonurturethoseseedsthatareyettomature,andmustcareforthosetreesthat
havedriedupandwishnottobeneglected.
22.Inthisrespect,anewdimensionoftodaysfamilypastoralconsistsofaccepting
therealityofcivilmarriageandalsocohabitation,takingintoaccounttheduedifferences.
Indeed,whenaunionreachesanotablelevelofstabilitythroughapublicbond,is
characterizedbydeepaffection,responsibilitywithregardtooffspring,andcapacityto
withstandtests,itmaybeseenasagermtobeaccompaniedindevelopmenttowardsthe
sacramentofmarriage.Veryoften,however,cohabitationisestablishednotwithaviewtoa
possiblefuturemarriage,butratherwithoutanyintentionofestablishinganinstitutionally
recognizedrelationship.
23.ImitatingJesusmercifulgaze,theChurchmustaccompanyhermostfragile
sonsanddaughters,markedbywoundedandlostlove,withattentionandcare,restoring
trustandhopetothemlikethelightofabeaconinaport,oratorchcarriedamongthe
peopletolightthewayforthosewhoarelostorfindthemselvesinthemidstofthestorm.
PartIII
Facingthesituation:pastoralperspectives
ProclaimingtheGospelofthefamilytoday,invariouscontexts
24.Discussionatthesynodhasallowedforagreementonsomeofthemore
urgentpastoralneedstobeenactedintheparticularChurches,incommunioncumPetroet
subPetro.
25.ProclaimingtheGospeloftheFamilyisurgentlyneededintheworkof
evangelization.TheChurchhastocarrythisoutwiththetendernessofamotherandthe
clarityofateacher(cf.Eph4:15),infaithfulnesstothemercydisplayedinChristskenosis.
Truthbecamefleshinhumanweakness,nottocondemnitbuttohealit.
26.EvangelizingisthesharedresponsibilityofallGodspeople,eachaccordingto
hisorher[...]ministryandcharism.Withoutthejoyoustestimonyofmarriedpeopleand
families,proclamation,evenifcorrect,risksbeingmisunderstoodorsubmergedbyaflurryof
wordswhichischaracteristicofoursocieties(cf.NovoMillennioIneunte,50).Onvarious
occasions,thesynodfathersemphasizedthatCatholicfamiliesarecalledupon[..]tobethe
activeagentsineverypastoralactivityonbehalfofthefamily.
27.Theprimacyofgraceneedstobehighlightedand,consequently,the
possibilitieswhichtheSpiritprovidesintheSacrament.Itisaquestionofallowingpeopleto
experiencethattheGospeloftheFamilyisajoywhichfillsheartsandlives,becausein
Christwearesetfreefromsin,sorrow,inneremptiness,andloneliness(EvangeliiGaudium,
1).BearinginmindtheParableoftheSower(cf.Mt133),ourtaskistocooperateinthe
sowingtherestisGodswork.Wemustnotforgetthat,inpreachingaboutthefamily,the
Churchisasignofcontradiction.
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28.Consequently,thiscallsformissionaryconversion,thatis,nottostopat
proclaimingamessagewhichismerelytheoreticalwithnoconnectiontopeoplesreal
problems.Wemustcontinuallybearinmindthatthecrisisoffaithhasledtoacrisisin
marriageandthefamilyand,consequently,thetransmissionoffaithfromparentstochildren
hasoftenbeeninterrupted.Ifweconfrontthesituationwithastrongfaith,theimpositionof
certainculturalperspectivesthatweakenthefamilyisofnoimportance.
29.Conversionhasprimarilytobeseeninthelanguageweusesothatitmight
provetobeeffectivelymeaningful.Proclamationneedstocreateanexperiencewherethe
GospeloftheFamilyrespondstothedeepestexpectationsofaperson:aresponsetoeachs
dignityandcompletefulfillmentinreciprocityandcommunion.Thisdoesnotconsistsin
merelypresentingasetofrulesbutespousingvalues,whichrespondtotheneedsofthose
whofindthemselvestoday,eveninthemostsecularizedcountries.
30.Inthisregard,biblicaltheologicalstudyisindispensable,accompaniedby
dialogueatalllevels.Manyinsistedonamorepositiveapproachtotherichnessofvarious
religiousexperiences,withoutforgettingtheinherentdifficulties.Indifferentculturalsettings
thepossibilitiesneedtobefirstunderstoodandinthelightofthese,limitsandextremes
shouldberejected.
31.Christianmarriagecannotonlybeconsideredasaculturaltraditionorasocial
obligationbutratheravocationaldecisiontakenwithduepreparationinafaithjourneyand
withaproperprocessofdiscernment.Itisnotamatterofcreatingdifficultiesand
complicatingthevariousphasesofformationbutexaminingtheissuethoroughlyandnot
beingcontentwiththeoreticalmeetingsorgeneralorientations.
32.Everyonewasinagreementonthenecessityofreconsideringallpastoral
practiceswiththefamilyinmindandovercomingitscustomaryemphasisontheindividual.
Forthisreason,thesynodfathersrepeatedlyinsistedonrenewalinthetrainingofpriestsand
otherpastoralworkersthroughagreaterinvolvementoffamilies.
33.Theyequallyhighlightedthefactthatevangelizationneedsclearlytodenounce
cultural,socialandeconomicfactors,forexample,theexcessiveimportancegiventomarket
logicwhichprevents[...]authenticfamilylifeandleadstodiscrimination,poverty,exclusion,
andviolence.Consequently,dialogueandcooperationneedtobedevelopedwiththesocial
entitiesandencouragementgiventolaypeoplewhoareinvolvedinculturalandsocio
politicalfields.
Guidingengagedcouplesintheirpreparationformarriage
34.Thecomplexsocialrealityandthechangesaffectingthefamilytodayrequirea
greatereffortonthepartofthewholeChristiancommunityinthepreparationofthosewho
areabouttobemarried.Inthisregard,thesynodfathersjointlyinsistedontheneedto
involvemoreextensivelytheentirecommunitybyfavouringthewitnessoffamilies
themselvesandincludingpreparationformarriageinthecourseofChristianinitiationaswell
asemphasizingtheconnectionbetweenmarriageandtheothersacraments.Likewise,they
feltthatspecificprogrammeswereneededinpreparingcouplesformarriage,programmes
whichcreateatrueexperienceofparticipationinecclesiallifeandthoroughlytreatthe
variousaspectsoffamilylife.
AccompanyingtheMarriedCoupleintheInitialYearsofMarriage
35.Theinitialyearsofmarriageareavitalandfragileperiodduringwhichcouples
becomemoreawareofthechallengesandmeaningofmarriedlife.Consequently,pastoral
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accompanimentneedstogobeyondtheactualcelebrationofthesacrament.Inthisregard,
experiencedcouplesareofgreatimportanceinanypastoralactivity.Theparishis[...]the
idealplacefortheseexperiencedcouplestobeofservicetoyoungercouples.Married
couplesneedencouragementinthefundamentalopennesstothegreatgiftofchildren.The
importanceofafamilyspiritualityandprayerneedsemphasis,wherecouplesareencouraged
tomeetregularlytopromotegrowthintheirspirituallifeandsolidarityintheconcrete
demandsoflife.Meaningfulliturgies,devotionalpracticesandtheEucharistcelebratedfor
familieswerementionedasvitalfactorsinfosteringevangelizationthroughthefamily.
Positiveaspectsofcivilunionsandcohabitation
36.Anewelementintodayspastoralactivityisasensitivitytothepositiveaspects
ofcivillycelebratedmarriagesand,withobviousdifferences,cohabitation.Whileclearly
presentingtheideal,theChurchneedsalsotoindicatetheconstructiveelementsinthese
situationswhichdonotyetornolongercorrespondtothatideal.
37.Thesynodfathersalsonotedinmanycountriesanincreasingnumberlive
togetheradexperimentum,inunionswhichhavenotbeenreligiouslyorcivillyrecognized
(InstrumentumLaboris,81).InAfricathisoccursespeciallyintraditionalmarriageswhichare
arrangedbetweenfamiliesandoftencelebratedindifferentstages.Facedwiththese
situations,theChurchiscalled[...]tobethehouseoftheFather,withdoorsalwayswide
open[]wherethereisaplaceforeveryone,withalltheirproblems(EvangeliiGaudium,
47)andtodrawnearthosewhowanttoresumetheirfaithjourney,evenifitisnotpossible
tocelebrateacanonicallyrecognizedmarriage.
38.IntheWest[...]anincreasinglylargenumberofpeople,afterlivingtogetherfor
alongperiodoftime,seekmarriageintheChurch.Simplytolivetogetherisoftenachoice
basedonaoverallattitude,opposedtoanythinginstitutionalanddefinitive,butalsoin
expectationofamoresecureexistence(asteadyjobandincome).Inothercountriesde
factomarriagesareverynumerous,notbecauseofarejectionofChristianvaluesconcerning
thefamilyandmatrimonybutprimarilybecausecelebratingamarriageistooexpensive.Asa
result,materialpovertyleadspeopleintodefactounions.Furthermore,suchunionscan
displayauthenticfamilyvaluesoratleastaninherentdesireforthem.Pastoralguidance
shouldalwaysstartfromthesepositiveaspects.
39.Allthesesituationsrequireaconstructiveresponse,seekingtotransformthem
intoopportunitieswhichcanleadtoanactualmarriageandfamilyinconformitywiththe
Gospel.Thesecouplesneedtobeprovidedforandguidedpatientlyanddiscreetly.Withthis
inmind,thewitnessofauthenticChristianfamiliesisparticularlyappealingandimportantas
agentsintheevangelizationofthefamily.
Caringforbrokenfamilies(theseparated,thedivorcedwhohavenotremarried,thedivorced
whohaveremarried)
40.ParticularlyevidentattheSynodwasthenecessityforcourageouspastoral
choices.StronglyreconfirmingfaithfulnesstotheGospeloftheFamily,thesynodfathersfelt
theurgentneedtoembarkonanewpastoralcoursebasedonthepresentrealityof
weaknesseswithinthefamily,recognizingthatcouples,moreoftenthannot,aremore
enduringsituationsthanfreelychoosingthem.These[...]situationsvarybecauseof
personal,[...]culturalandsocioeconomicfactors.Toapplyasinglesolutionforallorone
basedonalogicofallornothingisnotwise.DialogueanddiscussionattheSynodisto
continueinthelocalChurches[...]amongtheirvariouscomponentsinsuchawaythatthe
arrivedatpositionsmightbefullydevelopedintheworkoftheapproachingOrdinaryGeneral
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Assembly.TheguidanceoftheHolySpirit,constantlyinvoked,willpermitallGodspeopleto
befaithfultotheGospeloftheFamilyasmercifulagentsincaringforallsituationsofhuman
weakness.
41.Everybrokenfamilyshould,aboveall,beheardwithrespectandloveandbe
accompaniedontheirjourneyasChristaccompaniedthedisciplesoftheroadtoEmmaus.In
aparticularway,thewordsofPopeFrancisapplyinthesesituations:TheChurchwillhave
toinitiateeveryonepriests,religiousandlaityintothisartofaccompaniment,which
teachesustoremoveoursandalsbeforethesacredgroundoftheother(cf.Es3:5).The
paceofthisaccompanimentmustbesteadyandreassuring,reflectingaclosenessand
compassionwhich,atthesametime,heals,liberatesandencouragesgrowthintheChristian
life(EvangeliiGaudium,169).
42.Thisdiscernmentisindispensablefortheseparatedanddivorced.Respectneeds
tobeprimarilygiventothesufferingofthosewhohaveenduredseparationanddivorce
unjustly.Toforgivesuchaninjusticeisnoteasy,butgracemakesthisjourneypossible.At
thesametime,thesynodfathersemphasizedthenecessityofaddressing,inafaithfuland
constructivefashion,theconsequencesofseparationordivorceonchildren,whomustnot
becomeanobjectofcontention.Instead,everysuitablemeansoughttobesoughtto
ensurethattheyovercomethetraumaofafamilybreakupandgrowaspeacefullyas
possible.
43.Varioussynodfathersemphasizedtheneedtomakeannulmentcasesmore
accessibleandlesstimeconsuming.Theyproposed,amongothers,thedispensationofthe
requirementofsecondinstanceforconfirmingsentencesthepossibilityofestablishingan
administrativemeansunderthejurisdictionofthediocesanbishopandasimpleprocessto
beusedincaseswherenullityisclearlyevident.Accordingtoauthoritativeproposals,the
questionofthefaithofthepersonstobemarriedshouldbepossiblyexaminedinconsidering
thevalidityoftheSacramentofMarriage.Inallthesecases,ascertainingthetruthaboutthe
validityofthebondisuppermost.
44.Manysynodfathersrequestedthestreamliningoftheprocedureofmarriage
casesaswellasthepreparationofasufficientnumberofpersonsclericsandlaypeople
entirelydedicatedtothiswork.Thiswillrequiretheincreasedresponsibilityofthe
diocesanbishop,whocoulddesignateinhisdioceseaspeciallytrainedpriestwhowouldbe
abletoofferadvicetotheconcernedpartiesonthevalidityoftheirmarriage.
45.Divorcedpeoplewhohavenotremarriedshouldbeinvitedtofindinthe
Eucharistthenourishmenttheyneedtosustainthemintheirpresentstateoflife.Thelocal
communityandpastorsoughttoaccompanythesepeoplewithsolicitude,particularlywhen
childrenareinvolvedorwheninseriousfinancialdifficulty.
46.Likewise,thosewhoaredivorcedandremarriedrequirecarefuldiscernmentand
anaccompanimentofgreatrespect,whileavoidinganylanguageorbehaviorwhichmightbe
construedasdiscrimination.CaringforsuchpersonsbytheChristiancommunityisnota
weakeningofitsfaithanditswitnesstotheindissolubilityofmarriage,but,inthismanner,
thecommunitypreciselyexpressesitscharity.
47.AstothepossibilityofpartakingoftheSacramentsofPenanceandtheEucharist,
somesynodfathersarguedinfavourofthepresentregulationsbecauseoftheirtheological
foundation,whileotherswereinfavourofabroaderoutlookwithwelldefinedconditions,
whendealingwithsituationsthatcannotberesolvedwithoutcreatingnewinjusticesand
suffering.Forsome,accesstothesacramentsmighttakeplaceifprecededbyapenitential
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practicedeterminedbythediocesanbishopandaclearcommitmentinfavourofthe
children.Thiswouldnotbeapossibilityappliedtoall,butthefruitofadiscernment[...]ona
casebycasebasis,accordingtothelawofgradualness,whichtakesintoconsiderationthe
distinctionbetweenastateofsin,thestateofgraceand[...]extenuatingcircumstances.
48.Thesuggestionoflimitingthesepersonstothepracticeofspiritualcommunion
wasquestionedbymanysynodfathers.Ifspiritualcommunionispossible,whynotallow
themtopartakeintheSacrament?Consequently,greatertheologicalstudywasrequested,
beginningwiththelinksbetweentheSacramentofMarriageandtheEucharistinrelationto
[...]ChurchSacrament.Likewise,themoralaspectoftheproblemrequiresfurther
consideration,listeningtoandilluminatingtheconsciencesofthesepersons.
49.Theproblemsrelativetomixedmarriageswerefrequentlyraisedinthe
interventionsofthesynodfathers.Thedifferencesinthematrimonialregulationsofthe
OrthodoxChurchescreatesseriousproblemsincertaincontextswhichrequiresuitable
responsesincommunionwiththePope.Thesameappliestointerreligiousmarriages.
Providingforhomosexualpersons
50.HomosexualshavegiftsandqualitiestooffertotheChristiancommunity.Arewe
capableofprovidingforthesepeople,guaranteeing[...]them[...]aplaceoffellowshipin
ourcommunities?Oftentimes,theywanttoencounteraChurchwhichoffersthema
welcominghome.Areourcommunitiescapableofthis,acceptingandvaluingtheirsexual
orientation,withoutcompromisingCatholicdoctrineonthefamilyandmatrimony?
51.Thequestionofhomosexualityrequiresseriousreflectiononhowtodevise
realisticapproachestoaffectivegrowth,humandevelopmentandmaturationintheGospel,
whileintegratingthesexualaspect,allofwhichconstituteanimportanteducativechallenge.
Moreover,theChurchaffirmsthatunionsbetweenpeopleofthesamesexcannotbe
consideredonthesamelevelasmarriagebetweenmanandwoman.Norisitacceptablethat
thepastorsoutlookbepressuredorthatinternationalbodiesmakefinancialaiddependent
ontheintroductionofregulationsbasedongenderideology.
52.Withoutdenyingthemoralproblemsassociatedwithhomosexualunions,there
areinstanceswheremutualassistancetothepointofsacrificeisavaluablesupportinthelife
ofthesepersons.Furthermore,theChurchpaysspecialattentionto[...]childrenwholive
withsamesexcouplesandstressesthattheneedsandrightsofthelittleonesmustalways
begivenpriority.
Thetransmissionoflifeandthechallengeofthedecliningbirthrate
53.Today,thediffusionofamentalitywhichreducesthegenerationoflifeto
accommodateanindividualsorcouplesplansiseasilyobservable.Sometimes,economic
factorsareburdensome,contributingtoasharpdropinthebirthratewhichweakensthe
socialfabric,thuscompromisingrelationsbetweengenerationsandrenderingafuture
outlooklesscertain.Opennesstolifeisanintrinsicrequirementofmarriedlove.
54.Realisticlanguageisprobablyalsoneededinthisinstance,languagewhich
knowshowtostartbylisteningtopeopleandacknowledgingthebeautyandtruthofan
unconditionalopennesstolifeasthatwhichhumanlifeneedstolivelifefully.Thisservesas
thebasisforanappropriateteachingregardingthenaturalmethodsofhumanreproduction,
whichallowacoupletoliveinaharmoniousandconsciousmannerthecommunication
betweenhusbandandwife,inallitsaspects,alongwiththeirresponsibilityatprocreatinglife.
Inthisregard,weshouldreturntothemessageoftheEncyclicalHumanaeVitaeofPopePaul
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VI,whichhighlightstheneedtorespectthedignityofthepersoninthemoralevaluationof
themethodsofregulatingbirths.
55.Affectivityneedsassistance,alsoinmarriage,asapathtomaturityintheever
deepeningacceptanceoftheotherandaneverfullergiftofself.Thisnecessitatesoffering
programmesofformationwhichnourishmarriedlifeandtheimportanceofthelaityproviding
anaccompanimentconsistingofalivedtestimony.Undoubtedly,theexampleofthefaithfulis
ofgreatassistance,aswellastheirprofoundloveshownintheirtenderness,andrespect
whichiscapableofgrowingovertimeand,inopeningitselftothegenerationoflife,creates
anexperienceofamysterythattranscendsus.
Thechallengeofeducationandtheroleofthefamilyinevangelization
56.Thefundamentalchallengefacingfamiliestodayisundoubtedlythatofraising
children,renderedmoredifficultandcomplexbytodaysculturalreality.Consideration,then,
needstobegiventotheneedsandexpectationsoffamilieswhoarecapableofbearing
witnessintheirdailylivesandinplacesofgrowthandtheconcreteandessential
transmissionofthevirtues,whichgivesformtoourexistence.
57.Inthisregard,theChurchcanassumeavaluableroleinsupportingfamilies,
startingwithChristianinitiationandbeingwelcomingcommunities.Morethanever,these
communitiestodayaretooffersupporttoparents,incomplexsituationsandeverydaylife,in
theirworkofraisingtheirchildren,accompanyingchildren,adolescentsandyoungpeoplein
theirdevelopmentthroughpersonalizedpastoralprogrammescapableofintroducingthemto
thefullmeaningoflifeandencouragingthemintheirchoicesandresponsibilitieslivedinthe
lightoftheGospel.
Conclusion
58.Theseproposedreflections,thefruitofsynodaldiscussionwhichtookplacein
greatfreedomandaspiritofreciprocallistening,areintendedtoraisequestionsandindicate
outlooksthatwilllaterbedevelopedandclarifiedby[...]reflectioninthelocalChurchesin
theinterveningyearleadingtotheXIVOrdinaryGeneralAssemblyoftheSynodofBishops,
scheduledforOctober,2015.Thesearenotdecisionstakennorsimplyvariouspointsofview.
Nevertheless,thecollegialjourneyofthebishopsandtheinvolvementofallGodspeople
undertheguidanceoftheHolySpiritwillguideusinfindingtheroadtotruthandmercyfor
all.ThishasbeenthewishofPopeFrancisfromthebeginningofourwork,invitingusto
exercisethecourageoffaithandhumblyandhonestlyembracethetruthincharity.
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