Cardinal Napier: now optimistic about Synod, confident that ideological manipulation has stopped
October 20, 2015
Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier said that African bishops are “optimistic” about the outcome of the Synod of Bishops, and added that he is no longer concerned about manipulation of the process, during an October 20 briefing for reporters in Rome.
The South African cardinal, who served on the committee that drafted the final message for the 2014 Synod session, confirmed that he had been worried about Synod procedures. He told reporters that “there were certain issues that, once again, were being pushed in a certain direction.” But he went on to say that after a group of cardinals raised their concerns in a letter to Pope Francis, the efforts to manipulate the process were curbed, and the bishops regained confidence in the process.
Cardinal Napier predicted that the Synod would “give a strong impulse to the local churches to improve marriages through marriage- preparation courses and clear communication of the Church’s teaching on marriage and the family.” He remarked that in Africa, pastors face a special challenge regarding marriage preparation, because traditionally marriage is seen as an alliance between families, and cohabitation is widely regarded as an appropriate preparation for marriage. He suggested that the African bishops should decide how to approach that issue.
When questioned about suggestions that the Synod should seek to state Church teaching in new and more attractive language, Cardinal Napier cautioned that the bishops should avoid "politically correct" language, and remember the need for prophetic witness.
The cardinal said that the African bishops participating in the assembly were grateful to the “many millions of people who have been praying for the Synod’s success.”
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Further information:
- Family Synod: Press Briefing Day 13 (Vatican Radio)
- “African bishops optimistic about the outcome of this Synod” (Vatican Insider)
- Card. Napier on the Synod: Things are different this time around (Rome Reports)
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