Complementing Ruth with Mercy
Long before the Synod of Bishops on the Family began early last month, the “battlefield” was already set. The “contenders” were itching to “throw punches” at each another, based on media interviews and publications made in the lead up to the gathering. While there were many pastoral challenges facing the family that were identified during last year’s extraordinary assembly, one issue stuck out like a sore thumb. Early last year, German Cardinal Walter Kasper stirred a hornet’s nest by proposing to a full consistory of cardinals that some Catholics, who divorced and civilly remarried, might be admitted to Holy Communion in certain cases. Immediately, the conservatives rebutted it, saying that marriage can never be dissolved and that the doctrine on people living in “public and permanent adultery” can never be changed. Others saw some light in Kasper’s suggestion and argued that the situation does not call for a change in doctrine but in the pastoral approach to receive these people back into the Church. During the 2014 Synod itself, there were reports of shouting between the cardinals on the floor and accusations of rigging the mid-term report, particularly on the subject of homosexuality. Many Vatican observers believed that the October 2015 Synod, with 279 bishops from 120 nations in attendance, would be a heated one, if only for these two issues. PREVENTION IS KEY However, there were clear indications that the Vatican wanted to prevent such controversies from happening again. For one, some of those who were very vocal about the Kasper proposal were disinvited to the gathering, particularly the very conservative American William Cardinal Burke, the former “Chief Justice” of the Vatican, who was reportedly demoted by the Pope for his criticism of Francis’ “progressive ways.” However, a balance was still struck by the Holy Father’s confirmation of the attendance of conservative Africans: South Africa’s William Cardinal Napier and Guinea’s Robert Cardinal Sarah. For another, new rules on how the sessions will be carried out were instituted. Instead of giving more time for Synod Fathers to speak on the floor, the number of plenary sessions were decreased. Alternatively, the participants were broken down into language groups which, according to the Vatican, made it easier for the Synod Fathers to exchange ideas. There were 18 plenary sessions and 13 language group sessions in all. Some observers noted, however, that the innovation was introduced to prevent heated arguments and divisions, which happen when the floor is yielded to someone who is vocal or opposed to a proposal, from happening. While this was perceived by some conservatives as a form of censorship, Pope Francis reminded the participants not to hesitate to speak their mind. “The Pope has called for issues to be addressed with courage and openness, both in and out of the ecclesial sphere. That’s why it’s not surprising that there are opposing views and arguments,” said Lorenzo Cardinal Baldisseri, the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, during a briefing in the Vatican on October 2. ANNULMENT REFORM A third
