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Earlier this month the Synod Secretariat published the lineamenta of the Ordinary Synod on the Family to be held in October 2015.

This lineamenta consists of (1) the final report (relatio synodi) of the Extraordinary Synod held in October 2014 and (2) forty-six questions for reflection, mostly drawn from the topics discussed in the final report.

Voice of the Family has produced an in-depth analysis of the relatio synodi, which discusses the philosophical problems underlying the approach adopted in the report. It also considers the grave omissions. It is striking that the final report of a synod purportedly on the theme, “The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization,” fails to mention abortion, in-vitro fertilisation, embryo experimentation, gender theory, euthanasia, assisted suicide and threats to the freedom to live according to the moral law and the teaching of the Catholic Church.

The Voice of the Family analysis concludes:

The final report of the Extraordinary Synod paves the way for the dissenting faction within the Church to pursue its radical agenda at the Ordinary Synod in October 2015.

The document is founded on a false understanding of the relationship between God, the Church and human history. It is representative of a school of thought which calls for the Church to conform herself to the modern world. The Church has repudiated this school since its emergence in the early nineteenth century and still repudiates it today, even if for a time many of its adherents remain formally within her ranks.

Far from conforming herself to principles contrary to natural reason and the deposit of faith entrusted to her, the Church is called to transform human society by restoring man’s relationship with God; “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till it was leavened” (Lk 13:31).

The authors of this report have abandoned this fundamental mission of the Church and try instead to lead her into conformity with the world. They do this both through distortions of her doctrine, as in the treatment of irregular unions, and through omission of the real problems facing human society, such as abortion. We repeat: the failure to spend even one sentence addressing the mass slaughter of unborn children is shameful.

The efforts of faithful synod fathers did ensure certain positive amendments to the interim report but these have not been sufficient to change the underlying approach. Consequently Voice of the Family is bound to repeat the judgment we expressed on the interim report:

“We urge Catholics not to be complacent or give in to a false sense of obedience, in the face of attacks on the fundamental principles of the natural law. Catholics are morally obliged to oppose the course being taken within the Synod.”

Voice of the Family has also produced a narrative overview of key events leading up to and during the Extraordinary Synod. It can be found here.

Action points       

  • Please join the Voice of the Family prayer campaign for the Cardinals and Bishops attending the Ordinary Synod in 2015; may they reaffirm the Catholic faith as taught by the Magisterium for twenty centuries
  • Please write to your bishops and parish clergy and make them aware of the problems with the approach being adopted at the Synod and ask them reaffirm the Catholic faith