Cardinal Baldisseri addresses British lawmakers on synod

October 31, 2014

Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, addressed a group of British lawmakers on October 30 about the recently completed extraordinary synod on the family.

After discussing the history of the Synod of Bishops, the prelate said that “no one can deny that the synodal process and structure had grown tired with the passage of time, and there seemed little opportunity for evaluation or renewal.”

“The Holy Father’s desire was clear: he wished to give new life to this important body and allow it to become once again a sounding board, a place for authentic dialogue, debate and fraternal sharing-- all for the good of the Church,” he continued. “Pope Francis wished to reform the synodal structure so that it could better discuss and consult on major questions facing the Church, just as it did in the early centuries of Christianity.”

Turning to the recent synod, Cardinal Baldisseri stated that

I wish to stress one of the most important contributions of the recent Synod, and hopefully a constitutive part of future Synods – the rediscovery of the synodal process. A very important aspect of the Church’s life is based on our understanding that the Spirit of the Risen Christ is given to all the baptized. Synods are not about taking a poll or voting in a democratic way on Church teaching and practice but they embody a humble openness to the fact that the Lord is leading the pilgrim Church through the power of the Holy Spirit…

The pastoral mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel of the family clearly and with humility, accompanying people in difficult or exceptional situations. That is what comes first. From this point, we learn to move together towards conversion and towards the goodness of life that God has for us and that Jesus opens for us all.

“The recovery of the Gospel of the family is key to a more missionary Church that can walk with contemporary people, binding their wounds and guiding them into the spiritual life,” he added. “The Church is called to live in the harmony of mercy and justice, the pastoral and doctrinal, working out how to be both compassionate mother and clear teacher.”

 

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Further information:

• Un orecchio in ascolto (L’Osservatore Romano, p. 7)
• Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri Address to British Parliamentarians on 2014 Synod (Salt and Light Television)