THE
P RTAL
October 2015
Page 24
The Synod
on the Family
A few thoughts from Geoffrey Kirk
As I
write, the October Synod is almost upon us and the Holy Father is in the
United States telling the world about global warming, much to the chagrin
of the sixty-nine Catholic Republicans in the House. (There are 68 Democrats.)
What are we to make of recent events?
The changes in canon law relating to annulment
have been variously assessed. Some are convinced
that they render marriage, as one commentator put
it ‘a good deal less indissoluble’; others see them as
sensible rationalisations which make little substantive
difference. What is clear, from Pope Francis’ own
description, is that they were intended to be more
generous and more compassionate. Why promulge
such changes immediately before the Synod, you will
ask. Was it to pre-empt a conservative backlash, or
to steal the thunder of the liberal crusaders? Who
can tell?
The opposite is in fact the case. What John Bingham
(‘Social and Religious Affairs Editor’) did not say why let the truth spoil a story you are aching to tell?
- was that the majority of respondents disagreed
fundamentally with all those he quoted. The Bishops’
summary, forwarded to Rome, reflects that fact.
As ACTA (‘promoting respect and dialogue in the
Church’) despondently remarked: ‘If this is the tone
of the Bishops’ briefing to the Synod, it will suggest
that the English laity are so in accord with traditional
teaching, that there is no purpose in the Synod at all.’
So what will be the ultimate outcome? On verra bien
avec le temps (‘time will tell’), as they say. By the next
Meanwhile, The Daily Telegraph (assisted, or at issue of The Portal we will all know.
least not contradicted, by Archbishop Nichols) has
given the clear impression that a majority of English
Catholics is seriously at odds with the Magisterium on
all the hot issu \ΰ