The two week Synod is halfway through. For a week now, bishops, families and the Pope himself have discussed some of the challenges faced by modern day families and what the Church can do to help.

FAMILY

Cardinal Peter Erd , issued a midterm report to summarize the discussion list. He stated that despite the hardships faced by families, there is still much to be hopeful for.

CARD. PETER  ERDÖ

Archbishop Esztergom-Budapest (Hungary)

“Despite all the signs of families in crisis around the world, the will to have a family is still alive, especially among the youth. This highlights the need for the Church to constantly spread the message of the Gospel and the Family.”

via Midterm Report: 7 key Points of the Synod on the Family.

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In light of all the hoopla over the midterm report for the synod I thought this would be helpful from Fr. Barron …

The midterm report on the deliberations of the Synod on the Family has appeared and there is a fair amount of hysteria all around. John Thavis, a veteran Vatican reporter who should know better, has declared this statement “an earthquake, the big one that hit after months of smaller tremors.” Certain  commentators on the right have been wringing their hands and bewailing a deep betrayal of the Church’s teaching. One even opined that this report is the “silliest document ever issued by the Catholic Church,” and some have said that the interim document flaunts the teaching of St. John Paul II. Meanwhile the New York Times confidently announced that the Church has moved from “condemnation of unconventional family situations and toward understanding, openness, and mercy.” I think everyone should take a deep breath.

via Having Patience for the Sausage-Making Synod | Word On Fire.

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CARD. LLUIS MARTINEZ SISTACH

Archbishop of Barcelona (Spain)

“Yes, I would say that as a whole, the document has been recieved. But having said that, without a doubt there have been changes. In virtually every chapter, ammendments have been made.”

The confusion was triggered on Monday, when statements made about homosexuality and co habitating couples were released in the document.

via Synod’s Midterm Report: Modifications have been made to the wording of document.

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Cardinal George Pell discusses the ongoing debate inside the synod on the family.

via Cardinal: Synod says no to ‘secular agenda’ – YouTube.

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At the close of a truly extraordinary, sometimes explosive fortnight, here below is the English text of the just-released final message of the Synod, said to have been approved by a “wide majority” (later said to be 158 of 174 voting members).

Alongside the following text, the 174 Synod Fathers are slated to vote later today on a considerably more extensive final report summarizing the discussions, the publication of which rests in the judgment of the body’s president – the Pope.

via Whispers in the Loggia: To Every Family, “We Stand At the Door and Knock” – The Synod’s Last Word.

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Since his arrival to the Diocese of Bologna in Italy, Cardinal Caffarra has developed a specific pastoral ministry for divorced and remarried people.

CARD. CARLO CAFFARRA

Archbishop of Bologna (Italy)

“I wanted to reach out to those people who felt rejected by the Church. I wanted to meet with them to tell them one thing: The Church does not reject you. Jesus loves you.”

He began by meeting with 200 divorced and remarried couples to thoroughly explain Church doctrine. Through his experience, the Cardinal said, divorced couples have been able to understand the Church’s stance on receiving Communion.

via Card. Caffarra: Church Doctrine on divorced couples doesn’t mean they’re rejected.

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