Synod not just about divorce/remarried, Vatican cardinal says

May 21, 2014

The secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops has emphasized that the October meeting of the Synod will not focus exclusively on the question of Communion for Catholics who are divorced and remarried.

In an exclusive interview with the Catholic News Agency, Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri noted that the Synod is scheduled to discuss the broader theme of pastoral care for the family. Rather than concentrating on one particular issue, he said, in preparation for the Synod meeting the bishops should be “giving each issue regarding the family the same space for discussion.”

Cardinal Baldisseri went on to stress that the Synod would not make any change in Church doctrine. (Earlier this month the cardinal had been quoted as saying that the Church should “update” Familiaris Consortio, the apostolic exhortation by St. John Paul II on marriage. Some analysts had interpreted that statement as an indication that the cardinal favored a change in Church teaching that would allow divorced and remarried Catholics to receive the Eucharist.) The cardinal cited the Vatican II teaching that “sacred dogmas must be perpetually retained.”

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Bishops' synod head: October meeting not solely about divorce (CNA)