The Synod on the Family in Rome has presented its message on 'the pastoral challenges to the family in the context of evangelisation'. Some interesting stuff particularly in view of our recent discussions:
There is also the evening light behind the windowpanes in the houses of the cities, in modest residences of suburbs and villages, and even in mere shacks, which shines out brightly, warming bodies and souls. This light—the light of a wedding story—shines from the encounter between spouses: it is a gift, a grace expressed, as the Book of Genesis says, when the two are “face to face” as equal and mutual helpers. The love of man and woman teaches us that each needs the other in order to be truly self. Each remains different from the other that opens self and is revealed in the reciprocal gift. It is this that the bride of the Song of Songs sings in her canticle: “My beloved is mine and I am his… I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine”.
This authentic encounter begins with courtship, a time of waiting and preparation. It is realized in the sacrament where God sets his seal, his presence, and grace. This path also includes sexual relationship, tenderness, intimacy, and beauty capable of lasting longer than the vigour and freshness of youth. Such love, of its nature, strives to be forever to the point of laying down one’s life for the beloved. In this light conjugal love, which is unique and indissoluble, endures despite many difficulties. It is one of the most beautiful of all miracles and the most common.
This love spreads through fertility and generativity, which involves not only the procreation of children but also the gift of divine life in baptism, their catechesis, and their education. It includes the capacity to offer life, affection, and values—an experience possible even for those who have not been able to bear children.
Full text here.
Yet even though over half of archbishops believe this, it get voted down. Suspect politics and the church is going to be a merger of topics in Rome as well as in George Square.
ReplyDeleteI think (though I confess I've got a little lost in the flurry of paper!) that it was the final discussion document (the 'relatio post disceptationem') that was the subject of all the controversy and voting. The above is from the 'Message' which was delivered before that final day's voting (and is presumably the sort of thing that none of the bishops would object to!).
ReplyDeleteIf anyone's interested, the relatio is available here: http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2014/10/13/0751/03037.html