Cardinal Baldisseri explained that the Instrumentum Laboris consists of
three parts, conforming to the themes of the Documento Preparatorio.
"The first, dedicated to the Gospel of the family, relates to God's
plan, biblical and magisterial knowledge and their reception, natural law
and the vocation of the person in Christ", he said. "The
difficulties that arise in relation to natural law can be overcome through
more attentive reference to the biblical world, to its language and
narrative forms, and to the proposal to thematise and deepen the
biblically-inspired concept of the 'order of creation', like the
possibility of reinterpreting 'natural law' in a more existentially
meaningful way. Furthermore, the role of the family, 'fundamental cell of
society, where we learn to live with others despite our differences and to
belong to one another', is that of a privileged space for values such as
fraternity, love, respect and solidarity between generations, where dignity
is promoted, overcoming individualism and contributing to the common good
of society".
 "The second part relates to the pastoral challenges inherent in the
family, such as the crisis of faith, critical internal situations, external
pressures and other problems. The responsibilities of the pastor include
preparation for marriage, increasingly necessary nowadays to enable engaged
couples make their decision in terms of their personal adhesion to faith to
the Lord, to build their families on solid foundations".
 He emphasised that special consideration would be given to difficult
pastoral situations, such as unmarried couples who live together and de
facto unions, separated and divorced couples, remarried divorcees and
eventual further children, single mothers, those who are in canonically
irregular situations and non-believers or non-practising Catholics who wish
to marry". The prelate added that with regard to the phenomenon of
unmarried couples who live together and de facto unions, increasingly
widespread, "the Church has the duty to accompany these couples in the
trust that they are able to bear a responsibility, such as that of
marriage, that is not too great for them". In relation to the question
of remarried divorcees, whose irregular condition within the Church is a
source of suffering, the Instrumentum Laboris "offers real knowledge
of their situation, from which the Church is required to find solutions
compatible with her teaching and which lead to a serene and reconciled
life. In this respect, the need to simplify the judicial procedures for the
annulment of marriage would appear relevant".
 "Regarding same-sex unions, a distinction is made between the
contexts in which civil legislation is more or less in favour; there is a
need for pastoral care on the part of the particular Churches in these
situations, including matters relating to children who may be
present".
 The third part first presents themes linked to openness to life, such as
knowledge and difficulties in receiving the Magisterium, pastoral
suggestions, sacramental praxis and the promotion of a mentality open to
life. ... With regard to the educative responsibility of parents,
difficulty emerges in terms of transmitting faith to children, which is
then made concrete in Christian initiation; finally, this is a matter of
Christian education in difficult family situations, in which the effects on
the children extend to the sphere of faith and methods of celebration of
the sacraments".
 Cardinal Baldisseri mentioned that the themes not included in the document
will be considered in the Ordinary General Assembly scheduled for 4-25
October 2015, based on the theme "Jesus Christ reveals the mystery and
vocation of the family". This will be the third stage in the process
of reflection on the family, which began with the Consistory held on 20
February 2014.
 Finally, he explained that the Instrumentum Laboris offers a vision of the
reality of the family in the current context, which represents the
beginning of a profound reflection, which will take place in the two stages
of the Extraordinary General Assembly (2014) and the Ordinary General
Assembly (2015), which are closely linked by the theme of the family based
on the light of Christ's Gospel. The results of the first, the
Extraordinary Assembly, will be used in the preparation of the Instrumentum
Laboris of the subsequent Ordinary Assembly, which will be made known only
after the publication of the final document, subject to the decision of the
Holy Father.
 Given the importance of the Synod, a Day of Prayer for the Synod will be
held on Sunday 28 September, and the Eucharist will be celebrated every day
during the work of the Synod in the Salus Populi Romanii Chapel in the
Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.

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 DELEGATION FROM ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE TO VISIT ROME
 Vatican City, 26 June 2014 (VIS) - The Pontifical Council for Promoting
Christian Unity issued a press release today with the information that a
delegation sent by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I
will visit Rome from 27 to 29 June 2013 as part of the traditional exchange
of delegations for their feasts of patron saints: 29 June in Rome for the
celebration of the Apostles Peter and Paul and 30 November in Istanbul for
the celebration of St. Andrew the Apostle.
 His Eminence Metropolitan Ioannis (Zizioulas) of Pergamo, co-president of
the International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic
and Orthodox Churches, will head the delegation and will be accompanied by
Archbishop Job de Telmissos and Patriarchal Archdeacon John Chryssavgis.
 On Saturday, 28 June, the Patriarchate's delegation will be received by
the Holy Father Francis and then will meet with members of the Pontifical
Council for Promoting Christian Unity. On Sunday, 29 June, the members of
the delegation will attend a Eucharistic celebration presided by the Holy
Father.

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 AUDIENCES
 Vatican City, 26 June 2014 (VIS) - Today, the Holy Father received in audience:
 - Cardinal Robert Sarah, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum".
 - Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, prefect of the Congregation for Catholic
Education (for Institutes of Study).
 - Archbishop Alberto Bottari de Castello, apostolic nuncio in Hungary.
 - Khetevane Bragation de Moukhrani, ambassador of Georgia, on her farewell visit.

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