BY Ian Dunn | October 6 | 
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Synod of sympathy, not surprises
First few days of the Synod on the Family set pastoral tone
Observers expecting the family synod to result in a ‘spectacular change’ of Church doctrine will be disappointed, a senior cardinal has said.
Speaking at a Vatican press conference yesterday, Cardinal André Vingt-Trois (above) said: “If you have come to Rome with the idea that you are going to witness a spectacular change in Church doctrine, you are going to be disappointed.
“Nor do you need a synod to work that out. All you have to do is listen to the Pope’s homilies on the family, week after week at his Wednesday public audiences.”
The cardinal is the Archbishop of Paris and one of four delegate presidents at the synod.
The Pope had earlier opened the synod saying in a world filled with challenges to marriage and family life, the Catholic Church is called ‘to carry out her mission in fidelity, truth and love.’
Formally opening the synod October 4 with a Mass in St Peter’s Basilica, the Pope said the church must encourage families and defend faithful love, the sacredness of every human life and ‘the unity and indissolubility’ of marriage.
At the same time, he said, the church must carry out its mission with charity, not only ‘not pointing a finger in judgment of others,’ but also seeking out all who are lonely and in pain, caring for ‘hurting couples with the balm of acceptance and mercy.’
The synod is scheduled to last until October 25, discussing ways to strengthen the church’s support of families and its outreach to those struggling to live fully the Catholic ideals of marriage and family life. Marriage preparation, sexuality, procreation, communication, support for couples at risk of separation, accompaniment of divorced Catholics and possible ways to bring back the divorced and civilly remarried are all expected to be on the synod’s agenda.
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