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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