Dear Editor, I write to suggest that the Vatican “row” over the synod mid-term family report described on the front page of The Irish Catholic (16/10/2014) is not a surprise and, indeed, may be a sign of new life in our Church. Pope Francis has encouraged the bishops to speak freely without fear of censure.
This kind of openness has not been a feature of our Church for too many years, and so it comes as no surprise when there are lively debates among the Synod Fathers. Indeed, such debates are an essential part of any human conversation that seeks the truth.
Conservatives at the synod see themselves as defenders of true, traditional Church teaching. I wish, respectfully, to suggest that the truth is not a law but a person, Jesus Christ, and he must be at the centre of any attempt at renewal and reform in our Church. St Paul puts it succinctly when he writes, “Christ is my law”. Doctrine cannot change but it can develop and be better understood; there can also be new ways of applying it pastorally, which avoid harsh language and rigorous application of canon law.
The principal of gradualism also needs to be respected because no one expects people struggling in difficult situations to reach the ideal immediately. The danger for the conservatives, who, of course, are fully entitled to their point of view, is that they may become too rigid and inflexible and end up becoming like the stiff necked leaders of the Jews who always resisted the Holy Spirit. (Acts 7:51)
I see this Synod on the Family, and indeed the whole papacy of Francis, as Vatican II for slow learners. That council was a great gift of the Holy Spirit for the whole Church. If we remember the teaching of Pope Francis on mercy and compassion, then we will facilitate the Holy Spirit on this occasion, as he attempts to renew our Church at this critical moment in our history.
Yours etc.,
Peter Boucher,
Derry city,
Co. Derry.