Divorce and remarriage, deductive v. inductive theology, and passing references to birth control. Those were some themes emerging at the Vatican meeting of bishops on family life today, according to a midday briefing by Vatican spokesfolks and two synod delegates: Canadian Archbishop Paul-André Durocher and Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio, the top canon lawyer in the Roman Curia — a.k.a. Pope Francis civil service.
Here’s everything you need to know, in tweets — or as much as 140 character bites can do it justice:
#Vatican spox Lombardi says "a growing of participation and passion" yesterday afternoon and this morning at #Synod14
— Joshua McElwee (@joshjmcelwee) October 9, 2014
Lombardi says #Synod14 discussion on divorced was intense, passionate yesterday, this a.m.
— Catholic News Service Rome (@CatholicNewsSvc) October 9, 2014
Rosica says #Synod14 discussion on divorce "animated, impassioned, fraternal, they laid their cards on the table"
— Catholic News Service Rome (@CatholicNewsSvc) October 9, 2014
Vatican spokesman says “not big news” that two different “lines” have emerged in #Synod14 on Communion question
— Francis X. Rocca (@FrancisXRocca) October 9, 2014
Lombardi says while #Synod14 opened discussion on contraception, "in truth only a couple interventions mentioned it"
— Catholic News Service Rome (@CatholicNewsSvc) October 9, 2014
+Coccopalmerio says that in extreme cases the church should not require people to leave irregular unions as condition of receiving Communion
— Francis X. Rocca (@FrancisXRocca) October 9, 2014
+Durocher: We've been learning a new way of reasoning —inductive, Harvard case study method in reflecting on peoples’ lives.
— Austen Ivereigh (@austeni) October 9, 2014
.@padurocher says bishops at #Synod14 are moving from deductive to inductive theology, taking lessons from lived experience of people.
— Joshua McElwee (@joshjmcelwee) October 9, 2014
https://twitter.com/HolySeePress/status/520187384122847232
+Durocher it's unjust to say that those who say no Communion for divorced isn't merciful; bringing people to truth is merciful
— Catholic News Service Rome (@CatholicNewsSvc) October 9, 2014
+Durocher it's unjust to say that those who say no Communion for divorced isn't merciful; bringing people to truth is merciful
— Catholic News Service Rome (@CatholicNewsSvc) October 9, 2014
+Coccopalmerio: we don’t judge same-sex couples, we assume they act in good faith, but we cannot bless their unions as good
— Francis X. Rocca (@FrancisXRocca) October 9, 2014
+Coccopalmiero, a canonist, says on remarried: We must preserve doctrine, but intervene to help concrete people in serious situations
— Catholic News Service Rome (@CatholicNewsSvc) October 9, 2014
https://twitter.com/HolySeePress/status/520181673930280960
+Durocher: The synod process will last a year. "Where the majority stands on one issue is anyone's guess."
— Catholic News Service Rome (@CatholicNewsSvc) October 9, 2014
+Durocher says each bishop at #Synod14 may speak about only one issue, so impossible to know where most stand on any
— Francis X. Rocca (@FrancisXRocca) October 9, 2014
Lombardi: "We're not keeping tally". +Durocher: bear in mind we only get to spk on one issue. So we've only from those who have strong views
— Austen Ivereigh (@austeni) October 9, 2014
Top Vatican cardinal wants family speeches public: http://t.co/Wqk3ZAVY5t @AP
— Tim Townsend (@TownsendReport) October 9, 2014
There’s this:
Coccopalmerio says a synod member has brought up Orthodox practice re: second marriage and it needs to be studied. #Synod14
— Joshua McElwee (@joshjmcelwee) October 9, 2014
Then this?
+Coccopalmiero: It is difficult to turn to Orthodox practice of accepting 2nd unions; just doesn't fit with Catholic theology, canon law
— Catholic News Service Rome (@CatholicNewsSvc) October 9, 2014
.@FatherRosica: bishops at #Synod14 worry that "radical concessions" would "bring about decline of the very thing we are trying to uphold."
— Joshua McElwee (@joshjmcelwee) October 9, 2014
.@TweetingPriest: "some couples have to do 10.000KM to get an annulment. There's a need to simplify the process" #Synod14
— Ines San Martin (@inesanma) October 9, 2014
One bishop at #Synod14: "[We are] always and simply sowers of the seed … we are not to tear up what we see to be weeds."
— Joshua McElwee (@joshjmcelwee) October 9, 2014
Two high-profile cardinals offer different takes on synod. http://t.co/1w1tXIm3bS
— John Thavis (@JohnThavis) October 9, 2014
Lombardi: Talk of "spiritual communion" for those who cannot have "sacramental communion" at #Synod14
— Joshua McElwee (@joshjmcelwee) October 9, 2014
Stay tuned for more later …
David Gibson