The Synod of Bishops on the Family came to a close on Saturday evening when Synod Fathers voted paragraph by paragraph on the final text. At the end of the vote the text was presented to the Holy Father. All 94 points received the required two-thirds majority vote.

General Secretary of the Synod, Cardinal Lorenzo Baldiserri, thanked the Holy Father and all the Synod Fathers as well as the auditors, experts, support personnel, and the media.

Pope Francis then delivered his closing address. He too began by thanking all those involved in the Synod. The Holy Father said now that the Synod has come to an end he asks “What will it mean for the Church to conclude this Synod devoted to the family?”

He said that the Synod was not about settling issues but attempting to see them in the light of the Gospel and the Church’s tradition and two thousand year history. The Pope said it was about interpreting reality through God’s eyes.

The Holy Father said it was about making clear that the Church is a Church of the poor in spirit and of sinners seeking forgiveness. He said that it was about trying to “broaden horizons, rising above conspiracy theories and blinkered viewpoints.”

He went on to say that in the course of the Synod different viewpoints were freely expressed – he added “and at times, unfortunately, not entirely in well-meaning ways” – that led to a rich and lively dialogue “[offering] a vivid image of the Church which does not simply ‘rubberstamp’, but draws from the sources of her faith living waters to freshly parched hearts.”

He said the Synod had heard that what is normal for one bishop is not for another; what is considered a violation of a right in one society is an evident and inviolable rule in another,” depending on the social context.

Pope Francis went on to say that at the conclusion of Vatican II the Church spoke about inculturation as the “intimate transformation of authentic cultural values through their integration in Christianity, and the taking root of Christianity in the various human cultures.”

He said that inculturation does not weaken true values, but demonstrates their true strength and authenticity “since they adapt without changing; indeed they quietly and gradually transform the different cultures.”

The Holy Father said that, without falling into relativism or demonising others, the Synod sought to embrace, fully and courageously, the goodness and mercy of God who transcends our every human reckoning and desire.

Quoting Benedict XVI, Pope Francis said “Mercy is indeed the central nucleus of the Gospel message”. The Holy Father said that many of the delegates felt the working of the Holy Spirit who is “the real protagonist and guide of the Synod.” To conclude the Synod, he said, is to “return to our true ‘journeying together’ in bringing to every part of the world, every diocese, to every community and every situation, the light of the Gospel, the embrace of the Church and the support of God’s mercy!” – Vatican Radio.

Just over two thirds of the Bishops voted in favour of helping these people to understand their position and to see how they can take on their responsibilities towards their children from their first marriage, especially those who tried very hard to save their marriage.

“If a divorced person is convinced in front of God that they have done everything they can to live according to the truth and love of the Gospel, the priest should show them the best way to participate more fully in Church activities without creating any type of scandal,” they said.

The document on which the Bishops voted did not mention Holy Communion but it did not exclude that those who have a clear conscience should receive the sacrament. It appears that the Synod wants every case to be considered on its own merits.

The Synod was clear that in reference to gay marriage, that this could never take place in Church, but that there should be respect for people, whatever their sexual orientation.

The final report of the Synod of Bishops is available to download here, at this time it is only available in full in Italian.

 

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