Preliminary Questions in Preparation for the 2015 Synod on Family

"The proposed questions relate to specific paragraphs in the Relatio Synodi and are intended to assist the bishops' conferences in their reflection and to avoid, in their responses, a formulation of pastoral care based simply on an application of doctrine, which would not reflect the conclusions of the Extraordinary Synodal Assembly and would lead their reflection far from the path already indicated." This is an opportunity to offer concrete, practical solutions to the issues that impact the family and keep them from a relationship with the Church.

Do you feel that the the family is emphasized in the formation of priests and other pastoral workers? How are families themselves involved in their formation?

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In light of the cultural, economic and political processes that threaten families, how could this be addressed by collaboration with social and civil institutions?

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This question is concerned with remote preparation for the sacrament of marriage. In the various preparation programs for the sacraments of Christian initiation how can we better promote openness to the vocation and mission of the family? How is the relation between the sacraments of initiation and marriage proposed? How can the community be involved in this preparation?

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Is the parish community involved in marriage preparation and the support of married couples in the initial years of marriage? Can you propose a way in which this could happen?

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There are many couples living together for many reasons, including cultural and economic. How can the parish community assist in helping couples that are living together discern the benefits of sacramental marriage? How can couples living together be assisted to decide to marry?

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Is the Christian community in a position to undertake the care of broken families so that they can experience God's presence in their lives? How does the Christian community help in removing the social and economic factors which often determine this situation?

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How can the annulment process be made more accessible, streamlined and possibly done without expense?

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How can the Church allow couples who have divorced and remarried civilly to receive the Eucharist. Please read below to understand the various approaches discussed by the Synod fathers.

With regard to the divorced and remarried, the Synod fathers discussed ways to give them access to the Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist. Some wished to keep the discipline as it is because of the relationship between participation in the Eucharist and communion with the Church. Others proposed an individualized approach, permitting access in certain situations and with certain well-defined conditions. Access to the sacraments could be preceded by a penitential practice, determined by the diocesan bishop. Some maintained that such couples could be satisfied by a spiritual communion, while others questioned why they can't have access to sacramental communion.

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How can the Christian community give pastoral attention to families with persons with homosexual tendencies? What are the responses that, in light of cultural sensitivities, are considered to be most appropriate? While avoiding any unjust discrimination, how can such persons receive pastoral care in these situations in light of the Gospel and the Church's teaching on marriage?

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What are the most significant steps that have been taken to announce and effectively promote the beauty of becoming parents. How can dialogue be promoted with science and biomedical technologies that respects the Church's teaching on the dignity of life. How can adoption and foster parenting be encouraged as a powerful sign of fruitful generosity?

The Synod seeks appropriate teaching regarding the natural methods of responsible procreation, which allows a couple to live, in a harmonious and conscious manner, the loving communication between husband and wife in all its aspects along with the responsibility of procreating life. In this regard, we should return to the teaching of Humanae Vitae, which highlights the need to respect the dignity of the person in morally assessing methods of regulating births.

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Fulfilling their educational mission is not always easy for parents. Do they find solidarity and support from the Christian community? How can parents and the Christian family be made aware that the duty of transmitting the faith is an intrinsic aspect of being a Christian?

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