2014-09-23 18:05:00

Cardinal Nichols on Synod for Family as part of a symphony


(Vatican Radio) Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, held a press conference on Tuesday briefing journalists about his participation in the forthcoming Extraordinary Synod on the Family taking place here in the Vatican from October 5th to 19th.

Listen to Philippa Hitchen’s report: 

Describing the Synod as a 'remarkable moment' in the life of the Church, Cardinal Nichols spoke of the focus on the gift of God's mercy that we see at the heart of Pope Francis' pontificate. One of the challenges facing Synod participants, he said, “is to find ways to recreate a 'culture of mercy' in the Church."

At the same time, the cardinal said there is a need to refresh and deepen the Church's understanding of marriage as a sacrament through which husband and wife “become ministers of God's grace to each other." When properly understood and entered into, he said, “marriage can no more be dissolved than the Eucharist be returned to ordinary bread.”

Cardinal Nichols also stressed the importance of not idealising families but instead supporting them in the very challenging task of raising children and witnessing their faith to wider society.  

Responding to journalists’ questions, the Cardinal used a musical image to describe the October Synod as just one part of a broader composition defining the Church’s teaching on marriage and family life today.








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