Prominent Prelates Differ Sharply on Synod’s Final Report

Catholic Culture ^ | 10/27/15

[marshmallow]

In separate interviews following the conclusion of the Synod of Bishops, Archbishop Bruno Forte and Cardinal George Pell offered contradictory interpretations of the synod’s final report, which was approved on October 24.

Because the Synod of Bishops is a consultative body, Pope Francis is free to adopt or disregard portions of the final report as he sees fit in any post-synodal documents or decisions. Cardinal Pell, the prefect of the Vatican’s Secretariat for the Economy, told The National Catholic Register that “there is no mention anywhere of Communion for the divorced and remarried. It’s not one of the possibilities that was floated. The document is cleverly written to get consensus. Some people would say it’s insufficient. It’s not ambiguous.”

He added:

It was emphatically rejected that there was any comparison between homosexual marriage and same-sex unions. There was explicit rejection of the theory of graduality of the law. There’s a reaffirmation of the teaching of Humanae Vitae, there’s an adequate presentation of the teaching on conscience. All these things are significant reinforcements of the present doctrine of the Church.

In contrast, Archbishop Bruno Forte, the synod’s special secretary, told the Italian Episcopal Conference’s radio station that the final report permits the reception of Holy Communion by “some” persons who have remarried outside the Church, following an examination of conscience and a discernment process with their pastors.

[marshmallow]

The fun is only just beginning.........

[livius]

There was enough vagueness and wordy meaninglessness in the document to permit anything, just as was the case with the Vatican II documents. So the left has won, because they will take it and run with it.

And of course there’s the depth charge, which will take awhile to go off: “inculturation” and the control of doctrinal practice by local bishops conferences, and the “internal forum.”

[Salvation]

**, Archbishop Bruno Forte and Cardinal George Pell offered contradictory interpretations of the synod’s final report**

I’ll go with Cardinal Pell.
**there is no mention anywhere of Communion for the divorced and remarried.**

[aimhigh]

There was enough vagueness and wordy meaninglessness in the document to permit anything, just as was the case with the Vatican II documents. So the left has won, because they will take it and run with it.

Yep. Triangulate, so that everyone hears something they like.