In Focus: Synod on the Family
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In Focus

Synod on the Family


Dear Friend for Life

The Extraordinary Synod on the Family in Rome has been meeting for just over a week.  On Monday (Rome time) the highly controversial mid term report was released.  This report is a discussion document, the Vatican has been quick to remind us, and is a summary of the talks over the past week.

However, it is understood that after the report was presented, many of the Synod Fathers objected to it's contents.  Cardinal Burke, who is the prefect for the Apostolic Signatura (the Vatican's highest court) told Catholic World Report the following:

"While the document in question purports to report only the discussion which took place among the Synod Fathers, it, in fact, advances positions which many Synod Fathers do not accept and, I would say, as faithful shepherds of the flock cannot accept.  Clearly, the response to the document in the discussion which immediately followed its presentation manifested that a great number of the Synod Fathers found it objectionable."

Archbishop Gadecki, head of the Polish Conference of Bishop's has said that the "document departs from the teaching of John Paul II" (whose feast day is next week, October 22nd) "and that you can even see traces of anti-marriage ideology in it." Gadecki went on to say that "what is needed is the proclamation of truth."

Church teaching on marriage and family cannot change, that we know, however, a false understanding of the Church's doctrine can be picked up by those seeking validation for their various personal situations when language is used that fails to effectively convey that teaching.

The Relatio post disceptationem (report) can be read here.

Family Life International NZ has joined a coalition of pro-life and pro-family groups - Voice of the Family.  The coalition includes such widely respected organisations as SPUC UK, LifeSiteNews, the National Association of Catholic Families, Human Life International and many others.    Voice of the Family has been instrumental in providing sound commentary based on the timeless teachings of the Church throughout the Synod process.

In order to assist you, FLI has a new page on our website dedicated specifically to the Synod on the Family. It is a portal of information and includes video and audio interviews; links to Church documents (including Synod documents), websites, New Zealand related content and news articles.  While by no means exhaustive, it is a great place to start learning about all things to do with this Synod and the next (from 4th to 25th October 2015) and it is updated frequently as new material becomes available.

Also new on our website is a daily news update providing links to pro-life and pro-family articles that relate to New Zealand, with some content from overseas.  The page will provide a useful archive of important news and views.

Looking past the Synod, you are invited to some important events:

Mass of Remembrance - November 21st 2014 @ 7:00pm
This Mass of Remembrance is for all mothers, fathers and family members who have suffered baby loss through miscarriage, still birth or abortion.  Also remembered at this Mass will be frozen embryos to be discarded from November 22nd, and their parents (due to the HART legislation).  In Wellington there will be a Prayer Vigil for Life.  For more information visit our website.
Auckland:  St Mary's Catholic Church, 117 Onewa Road, Northcote
Wellington:  St Anne's Catholic Church, Emmett Street, Newtown
Dunedin:  Holy Name Catholic Church, 420 Great King Street

Abby Johnson, former Planned Parenthood Clinic Director tuned Pro-Life Advocate
Come and hear Abby's powerful and inspiring story in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin.  All are welcome. It is a rare opportunity to hear such powerful testimonies in person.  Don't miss this event and please bring along your friends!  For more information, including a video featuring Abby telling her story and the first chapter of her book "Unplanned" see our website.  Download a flyer with all three venues.

Christmas cards are also now available from Family Life Catholic Gifts.  The proceeds from the sale of these cards goes towards our Family Life Crisis Pregnancy Centres.

Thank you to each one of you for your support and for your faithfulness as we work to bring about a culture of life in New Zealand and beyond.


Yours in the service of Life
on behalf of all the team at Family Life International NZ

Michelle Kaufman
Communications Director
Family Life International NZ
 
Family Life Magazine September 2014

A Culture of Life Blog

 

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"The Church doesn't close Her eyes to the difficulties of the Faithful who live in delicate and thorny situations... Nevertheless, the Church must offer sincere answers which direct, not towards the spirit of the times, but to the Gospel, to the word of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God."
Archbishop Georg Ganswein
Family Life International NZ - John Paul II Centres for Life
Auckland | Wellington | Dunedin
fli.org.nz | pregnantandworried.org.nz

 
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