I was very impressed with how German Catholics have responded to the over-idealised image of the family put forth in the Vatican Synod question paper. Ideals are good for us but the images presented by the male-dominated Vatican don’t even fully explicate the diverse potential found in New Testament texts: “many gifts”, “diversity of callings”, “God the Father from whom every family takes its source”.
Let us remember that the New Testament presents a diversity of theologies within the one Christ.
Personally I have no great hopes from the Synod. Let’s face it, even on women’s issues Pope Francis has so far only made noises off; there is yet to be movement. Even the deeply sacred image of The Holy Family (Joseph, Mary and Child Jesus) needs to be explicated variously as nourishment for all types of families rather than strict plaster-cast model to shoe all families into.
David Albert Smith, Grimsby
Loading ...
