perspective special: synod 1 980

there was always extensive discussion of the "interventions" of the Third World Marginal Man at bishops, particularly those from . At times like this, the vibrant youth of the Church in Sub-Sahara Africa became evi- dent. Cardinal Laurean Rugambwa of Dar-es-Salaam, , called for a the Synod more sensitive appreciation of indigenous customs. "The local churches must be al- by David M. Thomas, Ph.D. lowed to find solutions on the pastoral level to problems arising from Christianity

n Friday, September 26, Pope John are some of my reflections on what I hope especially in the area of family life . . . OPaul II joined 216 bishops from will be a major event in the life of the Some of the [Roman Catholic] church's around the world to celebrate a Mass in Church, a benchmark in the development legislation on marriage may have to be the Sistine Chapel which signaled the be- of the Church's sensitivity to the needs drastically revised and reduced to essential ginning of a World Synod of Roman and capacities of the Christian family. laws applicable to the universal church." Catholic Bishops. It was the fifth such I would like to clarify how a synod fits What's behind the Cardinal's view is the meeting since the into the life of the Roman Catholic need to see Christianity as related to all of (1962-1965). The topic for this Synod was Church. Primarily, a synod is an advisory what's fundamentally good in human cul- "The Role of the Christian Family in the meeting. It is an opportunity for the Pope ture. This point was brought to sharp fo- Modern World." to listen firsthand to bishops from vir- cus in an intervention by Cardinal Mau- In his opening homily the Pope stated, tually every country where Roman Ca- rice Otungo of Nairobi, Kenya. He boldly "We are deeply convinced that through tholicism is present as they share with him stated, "Our African family values are not the Christian family the Church lives and their observations on a topic of significant only helpful or useful-they are indis- fulfills the mission given to her by Christ." Church concern. When family life was an- pensible for the incarnation of Christian- He went on to characterize the Christian nounced as the topic for the Synod of ity in Africa today." family not simply as an object of evangeli- 1980, immediate speculation both inside What the Synod struggled with contin- zation but also as "the necessary subject and outside the Roman ually was the timeless issue of the relation- for which nothing else can be substituted: focused on whether the Synod would call ship of Christianity to human culture. the creative subject." It was clear that the for a reaffirmation or change in the teach- While the concern may be more obvious Pope saw centered in this topic a set of is- ing of that church on artificial contracep- in places like Africa or Asia, it is also key sues closely related to the basic vitality of tion. For myself, the strong emphasis on to the Church's survival in more techno- the Church. For the next five weeks he that single area hurt both the internal logical and post-Christian cultures like would listen to his brother bishops as they workings of the Synod itself and the re- Europe and North America. Also critical related to him the condition of the Chris- porting of its deliberations to the rest of is the Church's response to cultures where tian family in the parts of the world they the world. This is not to say that the topic the powers of society weigh heavily on the represented. They would, at the same was insignificant, but much happened in imprisoned masses as is the case in parts time, offer to the Church suggestions for the Synod which failed to get adequate at- of Latin America and Eastern Europe. enriching the lives of Christians whose vo- tention and coverage. What follows are Can the Church speak with realism and cation calls them to family living. some of the highlights of the month-long understanding in these various and often The Catholic Church in the United meeting. quite different settings? Can the teachings States was allowed to send four bishops. What was most apparent to those who and pastoral activity of the Church enrich They were elected from the ranks of the watched the Synod delegates enter the hall God-inspired expressions of life and love National Council of Catholic Bishops. each day was their national and cultural present in different ways, but flowing Present, therefore, among the bishops in diversity. In fact, it can be argued that this from the same Source? Can the Christian the Sistine Chapel on that Friday morning Synod represented a move of the Catholic family flourish in these many settings in late September were Archbishop John Church toward becoming not simply a without compromising its values and basic Quinn of San Francisco, Archbishop Jo- muiti-national body, but also a multi-cul- religious orientation?

Robert Sanchez of Santa Fe, and Auxil- tions of the Synod did not allow for an in- iary Bishop of Baltimore Francis Staf- v^r sjifc *afaf¥^f depth discussion of this or any topic. Af- ford, who was also Chairman of the U.S. • |R, m ^ » - '_^& ter all, there were more than two hundred Bishops' National Commission on Mar- i*. s t •" ^j delegates who came to the Synoci each riage and Family Life. The Pope had also * J" • with an agenda from their respective invited Cardinal Terrance Cooke of New Bfl^K ^^Wp""N countries. I became aware of this in a con- York to join the U.S. delegation. versation I had with Cardinal Hume from It is customary for delegates to a synod England. Asking him who the bishops to bring with them advisors (or perlti) to from Great Britain brought with them as assist them in formulating their presenta- - advisors, his response was quite pointed. tions (which the Synod terms "interven- HL ^v ^^^fc«."v * He replied that he brought to the Synod tions"), and 1 had been invited to serve in HMt - JVEgii. . 1 the hopes and desires of two thousand that capacity. For five weeks I lived and task, * ~~~ "*• ~_^ Catholics with whom he had consulted in 24 worked with our delegation. What follows a formal meeting just prior to coming to "The Synod can be viewed as the beginning of a formal and on-going discussion on a broad range of issues which affect family life"

Rome. Like the other delegates, he would developed. Citing Paul VI's own words, be allowed only a few precious minutes to given soon after the issuance of the encyc- articulate those sentiments. lical, Archbishop Quinn asked that there But these time restrictions need not be be a deeper examination of the issue as misinterpreted. For, in the long run, the ,•£•''* Synod can be viewed as the beginning of a synthetic exposition" of the Roman Cath- formal and on-going discussion through- olic Church's teaching on responsible par- *""r 0 | out the Roman Catholic Church on a enthood, based on a richer portrayal of a broad range of issues which affect family theology of sexuality. The tone of his in- life. The question now should not be what tervention was respectful, and his recom- did the Synod do? Rather, what has the mendation for further and deeper study- bishop Quinn, his desired goal could not Synod begun? We can anticipate the Pope be reached within the framework of the issuing a major statement in response to impression that he was in any way denying Synod. The Synod could only support the the recommendations placed before him the validity of the existing teaching. need for such a study and recommend by the delegates at the conclusion of the So much for good intentions. The press strategies for its enactment. Synod. But there will also be, hopefully, picked up on his suggestion and twisted it Other issues of grave importance came to imply that he was confronting the before the Synod which also made it clear areas of Church life to assist the Christian Pope, calling for a new teaching. It was that further study and discussion would majority of interventions were aimed at what the Archbishop said would be diffi- Catholic partner in a Catholic interfaith that goal. It is, therefore, worthwhile to cult for those demanding simplistic black marriage receive the Eucharist during a highlight some of the more significant or white answers. He was calling for de- Catholic Mass? How are such marriages concerns touched upon at the Synod it- velopment of deeper insights into his self. church's teachings. He wanted it stated so various Christian churches? What can be that it could be understood and appreciat- done to prepare for and enrich these types Synod's formal deliberations, Archbishop ed by most people. To achieve this it of marriages? John R. Quinn of San Francisco brought W'Ould require research and sustained dia- Also demanding attention was the issue before the Pontiff and the rest of the Svn- logue between theologians and the official of divorce and remarriage of Catholics. od delegates the issue of the Roman Cath- teaching authority of the Roman Catholic Could those in second marriages still re- olic Church's teaching on the morality of Church. It would require a major expen- ceive the sacraments, particularly the Eu- artificial contraception. He made it very diture of effort with no certain promise of charist? Was the Roman Catholic Church clear right from the beginning of his ad- a simple or easily accessible resolution. It acting in accord with its deepest values in dress that he accepted the teaching as it would also require the Catholic Church to dealing with marriage cases through the was presented in Paul VI's encyclical let- be more sensitive in the way it communi- tribunal system, particularly in the grant- ter, Humanae Vltae. But he also noted cates its teaching, not only to the laity but ing of annulments? that, for many, the arguments supporting also to pastors. It was clear that when one Absent from the interventions was any the conclusions of the encyclical were un- considers all that was suggested by Arch- request that the values of the Church be compromised to accommodate these rela- tively new pastoral problems. But it was also felt that the Church ought not place unreasonable burdens where it was not absolutely necessary. The compassion of Christ was often mentioned as that which should set the spirit of the Church's re- sponse to those in difficult situations. Typical of the bishops' attitudes was that of Archbishop Nicholas Marcus Fernando of Colombo, Sri Lanka, who asked the Synod to help all families. "Otherwise, we too as leaders of the people may merit the censuring words of Christ regarding the Pharisees, 'They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they.' " All this was felt to call the Roman Cath- olic Church fo a level of pastoral aware- ness and theological sophistication un- precedented perhaps in its entire history. There was a feeling among many delegates that the issues raised called for new types of church response. But the resources needed for that response, both theological and pastoral, were not readily available. TheU lited State:. delegates were in the Cincinnati, in the very first intervention of Again, this indicated that the Synod could forefront of requeiiting further develop- the Synod, called for a more positive and only be a beginning. More had to follow. rchbishop Joseph Bernardin of better developed theology of sexuality. Archbishop Robert Sanchez of Santa Fe soon followed with a call for greater sup- port for families in the development of their unique spirituality. Bishop Francis Stafford of Baltimore asked that the Ro- man Catholic Church adopt a plan for comprehensive family ministry related to the needs of each locale. He mentioned that the Catholic Church in the United _ _ new States was already moving in that direc- tion as it implemented its Plan of Pastoral Family Action for Family Ministry. Some bishops ented that in Sanchez's and Staf-

the heart of the Church's conci Nights spiritual togethe] ...... draw forth its fullness. throughout the Year Cardinal Terrance Cooke of New York asked the Synod to look carefully at the many life-related issues, particularly that of abortion, and their relationship to farn- by the Reillys a flu f of i the United States, the Synod was asked by with the Burbachs 'slegates to examine the effect of drugs, ....„.„. irfare, and poverty on All fresh materials, in an attractive and larger boo family life. I ;lear that responsible -cised by ihe that will perk up interest in families accustomed t< United States Catholic bishops. weekly renewal through supportive sharing. It became apparent about midway in the Synod's deliberations that it would be most appropriate to have testimony not only from the bishop-pastors of the church, but also from family persons or directly from Abbey Pr *ige and shipping charges lived in the family setting. Fortunately, a few were already present in the meeting hall; at the specific request of the Pope, it Training Your Children To Handle Money by Malcolm MacGregor

"The discussions begun will, with the Spirit's help, stimulate conversations

between families and within families" do I get my child t

to my child/en? • Should j had been decided only a few short weeks earned? • How do I handle mychild's before the beginning of the Synod to in- was that the problems of First World and overspending, borrowing or stealing? vite a select group of lay persons to the Third World families were quite different. • How do I explain the difference be- Synod as "auditors" or "listeners." Mother Bishops from the First World spoke of tween spying and hoarding? Teresa was among those invited in that problems relating to intimacy, spirituality, role. secularism, and consumerism. The Third Gves a helpful list of part-time work sug- Through the first two weeks, the audi- World families were troubled by govern- gestions for children of various ages. tors listened with interest, but with some ment control, poverty, and the loss of tra- A book that can spare you frustration and degree of frustration. It was not that they ditional customs. In both situations, the prepare your child for a more secure finan- disagreed with the thrust of the interven- family was struggling to survive, but the cial future. $3.95 tions, but they felt that they had some- reasons for its distress were different. To realistically deal with this diversity, sons. Most of the bishop delegates also the Synod called for as much local pas- felt that their testimony would enhance toral planning as possible without further the discussion. Finally, two couples, one compromising the unity of the Church. from Europe and the other from Africa, This principle of "localization" was also were called to address the Synod. So also extended to where it became a principle was Mother Teresa. This was a procedural for dealing not only with cultural differ- speedve into the Synod. Representative of this sentiment was the During the third week, when the Synod view of Archbishop Joseph MacNeil of delegates broke into smaller language Edmonton, Alberta, President of the Ca- groups, all the auditors moved from sim- nadian Conference of Bishops. His belief ply a listening to a speaking role. The frus- was that the Synod should support family tration they experienced in the earlier days life not only by providing "opportunities gave way to a feeling of being recognized for confirming, encouraging, strengthen- and valued. (This procedure of including ing, and assisting the believing people who the laity ought to receive serious consider- are trying to live the message of the Lord" ation in the future as the Catholic Church reflects on the nature of its consultations, play a greater role in the determination of particularly in matters which directly af- their religious life. Thus, the Archbishop fect its lay members.) added, "Our conviction is that to an- The final days of the Synod centered nounce the good news to families is to say Your Money Matters around two very difficult tasks. The Syn- that the primary responsibility for Chris- od members decided to formulate a mes- tian family life is theirs." by Malcolm MacGregor sage to families, based on the key insights What, then, will be the most significant which surfaced during their discussions. result of the Synod? It will be found in ' over 160,000 copies sold! The message was to be short, supportive, Catholic families themselves, the family Here's a book to help you get a grip and challenging. It was to be pastoral in next door and mine. The Roman Catholic tone and . Final formulation of the Church has begun serious deliberations on your family financial picture. Some message was achieved only on the last day concerning issues which touch all families. of the topics discussed: of the Synod. It was translated into many But this discussion will, with the Spirit's • The seven major money mistakes languages and published widely in the help, stimulate conversations between and how to avoid them. • How to week following the Synod. families and within families. The message establish a realistic budget. • Howco The other task was to submit to the from the Synod has been published solve the credit-card problem. Pope a set of propositions or recommen- throughout the world, Many of the papers dations which would embody the basic and interventions are also being made This down-co-earth book will help you spirit and concerns of the Synod. It was available in the respective countries of the live better and do more on your present not that the Pope was unaware of the delegates. Soon John Paul II will offer his income. $3.95 many ideas which came to light during the personal reflections on what was discussed from your bookstore, or Synod (he attended all the major ses- at the Synod. And in the end, those words sions), but the Synod itself had to achieve hopefully will serve to enrich the Christian a fundamental consensus, which was no life of Catholic families everywhere and hasten the day when our lives will be such 1 ioned arlie of the m st that reconciliation with our brothers and

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