The Second Vatican Council was a truly
transformative event for the Church and also for the bishops themselves. Their way of thinking was greatly influenced
by meeting their colleagues from all over the world and from listening not only
to them but also to a whole array of theologians and other advisors while the
Council was in session but also in the long periods between. The result was that the Church embraced the
idea of being a learning Church as well as being a teaching Church – above all
seeking more faithfully to learn of Christ who is meek and humble of heart.
When the Council drew to an end so too did much of
the influence that the bishops had had on how the Church saw itself. The Curia quickly regained the power that
they had lost in the previous five years – in spite of Pope Paul VI putting in
place the Synod of Bishops. As it
transpired these meetings have played a very small part in influencing how the
Church has continued to fulfil its Christ given mission.
Pope
Francis was determined that the Synod of Bishops should not be allowed to wither
on the vine. The Church must seriously
address the task of reforming itself – beginning with establishing a proper
relationship between the Bishop of Rome and the other bishops – based on
Peter’s relationship with the other apostles.
He was determined that the Synod of Bishops would be taken seriously and
the centralisation of power in Rome and in the Curia should be addressed. In the consultations that took place between
the Cardinals before the election of a new Pope it was clear what changes they
regarded as being crucial and he is determined that he will not fail them. Whatever the theme of the Synod of Bishops
was to be, the way in which it was conducted would be hugely important for the
credibility and witness of the Church. The
theme of the Synod is ‘Family’ and there is no topic that touches peoples’
lives more than that. Family life is
central to society and to the Church.
The Church is the family of Christ and its task is to lead all families
to Christ.
Pope
Francis held his first consistory in February, creating nineteen new
Cardinals. Traditionally those already
Cardinals gather to welcome their new members and get acquainted with them and
better acquainted with one another.
After all, the Cardinals elect the next Pope from among their number so
they must get to know one another. On
this occasion Pope Francis spoke of the Synod on the Family and he asked one of
the senior Cardinals, Cardinal Kasper to speak to the Cardinals on the theme of
the Synod, which he did in a very thought provoking fashion. As Pope Francis anticipated – and desired –
his presentation was very stimulating and featured greatly in the discussions
at the October Synod.
At
the Extraordinary Synod each Conference of Bishops is represented by just one
delegate so Cardinal Vincent Nichols represented the Bishops of England and
Wales. Each bishop participating in the
Synod had to present a paper on various designated aspects of marriage well in
advance of the Synod. At the Synod
itself they were asked to speak for four minutes on the paper they submitted or
on whatever aspect of it they chose.
Even the bishops who wee not at the Synod were expected to submit their
answers to a number of questions on how married life appeared to be lived out
among the families of their diocese. It
would be interesting to know how much wishful thinking would have informed
their answers!
Each
Conference of Bishops was given a questionnaire which they were at liberty to
present in their own words for wider consultation. Some Conferences of Bishops for instance presented
their questionnaires to the deans of each diocese for them to complete. No doubt there were a number of equally bizarre
attempts at consultation or simply no attempt at all in many cases. The Bishops
of England and Wales presented a questionnaire that each bishop could make
available as he wished to all parishioners of his diocese. The way the questionnaire from the Bishops of
England and Wales was worded left a lot to be desired and seemed to presume a
knowledge of Papal documents on marriage that most sensible people knew little
about. In our diocese a more simplified
version was offered to us but not much time was available for us to
thoughtfully respond. Nevertheless the
world-wide consultation was a move in the right direction. The fact that the it was a bit shambolic is
not as important as the fact that it was attempted.
Hopefully
lessons have been learned and between now and October we will somehow be drawn
into the discussion on family life and due recognition given to the views of
married people who, after all, are the experts on the subject.
