September 8, 2015 (LifeSiteNews) — The Synod of Bishops on the Family will meet in October to discuss marriage and homosexuality, two hotly debated topics that have caused a crisis in the Catholic Church. In preparation for the highly anticipated event, seventeen prominent cardinals from around the world have written powerful essays for a series of books to be released this month through Ignatius Press.
After being disturbed by the 2014 Extraordinary Synod on the Family in Rome, dozens of organizations began collecting petition signatures to urge Pope Francis to reinforce Church teaching on marriage and family. The worldwide petition has surpassed 500,000 signatures, including those of 5 cardinals, 117 bishops and hundreds of prominent civil leaders. The petitions are to be presented at the Vatican on September 29 just prior to the commencement of the Synod.
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In March 500 UK priests published an open letter in defence of the “traditional teaching on marriage and human sexuality” in anticipation of the upcoming Synod. Their signatures all appeared in a prominent newspaper. Inspired by the UK priests, a US organization called Credo Priests launched to gather signatures of American priests to sign on to the same open letter signed by the priests from England. Thus far around 1,300 American priests have signed the letter and their names are published on the Credo Priests website.
The drastic actions, unprecedented in modern history, come at a time when a growing number of Catholics are concerned that many Church leaders at the October gathering in Rome will seek to re-think Gospel teaching on marriage, sexuality, repentance and grace. Some cardinals and bishops, particularly from Germany and Switzerland, have suggested that Holy Communion could be received by those in second and non-marital unions, or that active homosexual relationships could receive some positive recognition.