Catholic bishops on Saturday wrapped up a divisive synod on the family by submitting a “consensual” report to Pope Francis that reflects a stalemate in the battle between the Church’s conservative and liberal wings.
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The key paragraph 85, which says a case-by-case approach is necessary when dealing with remarriage since not everyone bears the same responsibility for the preceding divorce – passed with only one vote more than the two-thirds majority necessary.
The emphasis contrasted sharply with first drafts a year ago that spoke of recognizing the value of loving same-sex relationships, to the outrage of those opposed to any dilution of Church teaching that homosexuality amounts to a kind of disorder.
When Pope Francis does sit down to write his teaching on the family, he’ll face the question of how to find common ground among bishops from different continents, with vastly different cultures.
British Cardinal Vincent Nichols said the synod marked a “decisive” moment for the church in reasserting the role that pastoral practice, more than doctrine, must play in accompanying the faithful.
In the end, the document proposes that readmission to communion should be considered case by case, “according to the teaching of the Church”.
While Francis’ style has made him beloved by Catholics and non-Catholics around the world, conservative elements within the Roman Catholic church hierarchy have resisted the pope’s pastoral style.
Catholics who divorce and are remarried outside the church are now not allowed to receive communion, but bishops opened the door to change by stating that divorcees should be “more integrated into Christian communities”.
Delivering a homily in St Peter’s Basilica, Francis did not dwell on specific non-orthodox lifestyles, but said the duty of church pastors is to “bring people into contact with the compassionate mercy” of God, “without lecturing”.
The pope’s tough speech on Saturday night was the latest in a series of his admonitions to his bishops to be more flexible and merciful without changing basic doctrine.
The final document said that gay people should not suffer discrimination in society but also said there was “no foundation whatsoever” for same-sex marriage.
But the synod’s final recommendations merely restate the church’s respect for the dignity of gay people and desire to accompany families with gay members.
Francis has in the past voiced concern for divorced and remarried Catholics, who under church law cannot receive Communion or participate fully in church life until their previous marriages are annulled. They said their biggest takeaway was that they would now go back home and listen more to their flock and accompany them more. The Vatican vehemently denied the report and said it was aimed at suggesting that Francis’ health – and therefore his authority – was in question.
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“We continue to walk together, to support and stimulate each other in this path where every journey and every seed of goodness must above all be valued and supported, whatever the story of the wearer”, he said, without indicating where he comes down on the merits of either issue.
