This "Extraordinary Synod", attended by about 190 Bishops and Cardinals is over and, as was to be expected and planned, issued no directive but simply, what one might call a "Discussion Paper".
To indicate how divided this Synod was, one only has to consider that in the final vote, only 3 out of 62 points reach an absolute majority.
Such comments as " Homosexuals have gifts and qualities which would be valuable for the Christian congregation" appeared in the half time report, but fell victim to the pressures of the conservative faction and disappeared in the final report.
So it seems that homosexuality in the eyes of the Roman Catholic Church remains a Sin and remarried divorcees are still denied the "holy sacrament of communion".
It has become clear that not much has changed and I dare predict that after the final phase of the "Ordinary Synod" in October 2015, nothing much will then change either.
The presiding Cardinal of the German conference of Bishops, Cardinal Reinhard Marx summarized the Synod as follows: "We made two steps forward and one step back".
Please Mr. Marx, explain to me the "two steps forward" ? I rather think that you all were treading water. The Boston Globe commented that "for each Bishop who is kindly disposed toward reform, there is one who fears any change to existing tradition".
Cardinal Schönborn of Austria expressed his satisfaction concerning the final result:
"I am satisfied, but not on all points." He lauds the "open climate and the improved method".
So, the climate and the method were great ? -- what about the result ?
During the up-coming Bishops' Conference in Vienna ( 3rd to 6th November), so the Cardinal announced, the themes of Marriage and Family will be discussed. Please note that there is no mention of the third issue of this just completed Synod: Sexuality. Guess for yourself why not.
What just happened is what usually happens when the Catholic Church gets together:
They talk a lot.
Bertstravels
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