Letters

Synod of Bishops

John R. Barich

Contents - Mar 2015 - Buy a copy now Editorial: AD2000 to be available online only - Peter Westmore Synod: AFA calls for Synod to strengthen support for families - AD2000 Report News: The Church Around the World Rediscovering the spiritual dimension in modern psychology - Wanda Skowronska Liturgy and mystery in the Mass - Audrey English Challenging radical Islam - John A. Azumah The parish priest and parish school - Fr John O'Neill The linen cloth and the Second Coming - Andrew Sholl The person and mission of St Joseph - Pope St John Paul Seventh iWitness Retreat: another youth ministry success - Br Barry Coldrey Apps: Smartphone apps to bring you closer to God - Peter Westmore NACF: National Catholic Families Conference attracts 400 to Albury - Kathleen Horsfall and Marie-Louise Fowler Letters: Persecution in China - Christopher Rule Letters: Abortion - Brian Coman Letters: Mary's knowledge - Carmel Ford Letters: Anne Lastman replies ... - Anne Lastman Letters: Synod of Bishops - John R. Barich Books: MODERN MORAL PROBLEMS: Trustworthy Answers to Tough Questions, William B Smith - Michael E. Daniel (reviewer) Books: NOT ALL NUNS MAY DO THIS, by Erika Lorenz - Michael E. Daniel (reviewer) Books: Order books from www.freedompublishing.com.au Reflection: Hail Mary, Full of Grace - Anne Lastman

Fr O'Neill (February AD2000) is correct in surmising that "there was a pro-divorce lobby at the Synod of Bishops" last October.

The Synod also almost totally ignored St John Paul II's teaching on "The Theology of the Body" which the sex-besotted world so desperately needs to enable mankind to escape the scourge of divorce, promiscuity and restore chastity.

None of the experts from the various John Paul II Institutes on Marriage and the Family were asked to contribute despite some of them being leading theologians, e.g., Prof Tracey Rowland who has been appointed to the Church's highest theological commission.

Similarly, the Synod pontificated on the counselling of same-sex attracted people without calling on the expertise of the worldwide Church organisation Courage founded by Father Harvey. Courage has asked that they be invited to the October 2015 Synod.

Let us hope and pray that both these omissions are rectified this year.

JOHN R. BARICH
Claremont, WA

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 28 No 2 (March 2015), p. 17