Synod of Bishops

Prayer to the Holy Family

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
in you we contemplate

the splendour of true love,

to you we turn with trust.

Holy Family of Nazareth,

grant that our families too

may be places of communion and prayer,

authentic schools of the Gospel

and small domestic Churches.

Holy Family of Nazareth,

may families never again 

experience violence, rejection and division:

may all who have been hurt or scandalized

find ready comfort and healing.

Holy Family of Nazareth,

may the approaching Synod of Bishops

make us once more mindful 

of the sacredness and inviolability of the family,

and its beauty in God’s plan.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

graciously hear our prayer!

Amen.

Sunday, October 5

Pope opens Synod criticizing 'bad shepherds,' those who 'thwart' God.
VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis opened a worldwide meeting of Catholic bishops Sunday -- a possible landmark of his papacy -- by warning against "bad shepherds" who unduly burden the faithful and who "thwart" God by not being guided by the Holy Spirit.
Francis was speaking in a homily during the opening Mass for the meeting, known as a Synod and focusing on modern struggles of family life, in St. Peter's Basilica.
LINK

Monday, October 6

Pope calls synod to speak 'boldly,' cardinal defends current teachings

VATICAN CITY Pope Francis opened discussions at his worldwide meeting of Catholic bishops Monday by telling the prelates they should speak openly, without fear of upsetting him or limiting discussions to things he would want to hear.

LINK

Tuesday, October 7

Challenges faced by the Synod

On Monday morning, at the First General Congregation of the Extraordinary Synod on the Family, the General Rapporteur, Cardinal Peter Erdö, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, summarized the challenges that the Synod will deal with along the way. In fact, "the challenge for this synod is to try to bring back to today’s world, which in some way resembles that of the early days of the Church, the attractiveness of the Christian message about marriage and the family, highlighting the joy which they give, but, at the same time, respond, in a true and charitable way (cf. Eph 4:15), to the many problems which have a special impact on the family today."

“If we look at the origins of Christianity, we see how it has managed —  despite rejection and cultural diversity  —  to be accepted and welcomed  for the depth and intrinsic force of its message. Indeed, Christian revelation has manifested the dignity of the person, not to mention love, sexuality and the family.

The challenge for this synod is to try to bring back to today’s world, which in some way resembles that of the early days of the Church, the attractiveness of the Christian message about marriage and the family, highlighting the joy which they give, but, at the same time, respond, in a true and charitable way (cf. Eph 4:15), to the many problems which have a special impact on the family today and emphasizing that true moral freedom does not consists in doing what one feels or living only by one’s feelings but is realized only in acquiring the true good.

In a real way, we are called upon, above all, to put ourselves alongside our sisters and our brothers in the spirit of the Good Samaritan (cf. Lk 10: 25-37): being attentive to their lives and being especially close to those who have been “wounded” by life and expect a word of hope, which we know only Christ can give us (cf. Jn 6:68).

The world needs Christ. The world needs us too, because we belong to Christ.”

LINK

Tuesday, October 7

Where is the democracy at the synod on the family?

“Let's welcome healthy discussion and debate on theological and pastoral issues. It's way past time -- centuries past time! Maybe the synod can set us on that road.”

LINK

Tuesday, October 7
A report by England Cardinal Vincent Nichols commented on the contribution by an Australian couple
LINK1;    LINK2;   LINK3

Wednesday, October 8
The Vatican Press Office issues bulletins summarising the events of the day. English language sections are included.
LINK

Friday, October 10
During the ninth general Congregation, 15 interventions were heard (6 from couples and 9 from single Auditors), almost all laypersons engaged in the field of family pastoral care, bioethics and human ecology. From various countries throughout the world and representing almost all the continents, the Auditors brought to the Assembly their living testimony of family apostolate lived in everyday life.
LINK for the summary

Friday, October 10

Synod considers how to respond to 'burdened' children of parents in 'irregular situations'

LINK

Friday, October 18
Last Monday a group of cardinals were chosen by Pope Francis to write a summary of what was discussed in the first week of the Synod. This summary turned out to be controversial and many comments were made. The links I have provided above will lead you to some of the comments that were made. Some commentators called the summary "an earthquake" in the Vatican.
The second week of the Synod will be summarised later. All the discussions that have happened in these 2 weeks will become the basis for the agenda of the Synod when it reconvenes in 2015.

Monday, October 20
On Saturday the final 'Summary' of the Synod was published. It certainly caused a stir. The bishops retracted or rephrased a number of parts of the earlier summary.
LINK for the Concluding message of the Synod
LINK to the speech by the Pope

Friday, October 24
Synod Analysis: 'This is only the beginning'   LINK
Now the talking really begins.    LINK

Thursday, October 30
Full Final Report in English. LINK
Official Report from the Vatican LINK