Pope Francis urges synod fathers to speak boldly and not fear offending him
October 07, 2014
Addressing the Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Family, Pope Francis called upon the synod fathers to “speak with frankness and listen with humility,” in a spirit of “collegiality and synodality.”
The Pope recounted that after the February 2014 consistory, a cardinal wrote him to say that some cardinals did not speak out of fear that the Pope held a different position.
“This is not good, this is not synodality, because you have to say everything”; instead, the synod fathers should speak “without human respect, without timidity.”
“Do so with tranquility and peace, for the Synod always takes cum Petro et sub Petro [with Peter and under Peter] and the presence of the Pope is the guarantee for all and the safeguard of the faith,” he added.
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Further information:
- Synod14 - 1a Congregazione generale: Parole del Santo Padre Francesco ai Padri sinodali (Holy See Press Office)
- Pope to Synod Fathers: speak frankly and listen humbly (Vatican Radio)
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Posted by: jg23753479 -
Oct. 07, 2014 4:21 PM ET USA
And I am sure that, hearing these words, the cardinals are reassured by the recent reassignment of Cardinal Burke.
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Posted by: bruno.cicconi7491 -
Oct. 07, 2014 10:47 AM ET USA
It is good that he says that; to me it seems clear that he is referring to the orthodox churchmen.
