In the hour dedicated to open discussion ? from 6 to 7 p.m. ? attention
returned to the need for a new language in the proclamation of the Gospel,
with particular reference to the new media technologies. With regard to the
indissolubility of marriage, it was highlighted that today it would appear
that the law is opposed to the good of the person. In reality, the truth of
the conjugal bond and its stability is inscribed within the person, and
therefore it is not a question of setting the law and the person in opposition
to each other, but rather of understanding how to help the person not to
betray his or her own truth.
 Further reflection was proposed in relation to families who have not received
the gift of children despite wishing for them, and those in regions affected
by the Ebola virus.
 Finally, the image of the Church as light was recalled, in the hope that this
may be not only the light of a beacon, that remains constant and illuminates
from afar, but also a torch, or rather a ?soft light? that accompanies
humanity on its path, step by step.
 The Pontifical Council for the Family donated to the members of the Synod a
copy of the extensive Enchiridion on the family.

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 Fifth General Congregation: critical situations within the family, the
question of mixed marriages, and mercy and truth for the divorced and remarried
 Vatican City, 8 October 2014 (VIS) ? In the fifth general Congregation, which
took place tis morning and which the Holy Father did not attend on account of
the general audience, the general debate continued on the themes outlined in
the Instrumentum laboris: ?The Pastoral Challenges of the Family (Part II,
Chapter 2). The Crisis of Faith and Family Life / Critical Situations within
the Family / External Pressures on the Family / Special Situations?.
 First and foremost, the debate focused on the Church in the Middle East and
in North Africa. Both exist in difficult political, economic and religious
situations, with serious repercussions on families. Where there are laws that
impede the reunification of families, poverty leads to migration, where there
is religious fundamentalism and Christians do not enjoy equal rights with
Muslim citizens, there are often difficult problems for families resulting
from mixed marriages.
 Indeed, in these contexts, interreligious or so-called ?mixed? marriages are
present and on the increase in these contexts. It was said that the challenge
of the Church is therefore to understand what form of catechesis may be
offered to children born of such a union and how it is possible to respect to
the unknown situation of those Catholics who, united in mixed marriages, wish
to continue to practice their religion. Such couples, it was said, must not be
neglected and the Church must continue to take care of them. A further
challenge is also represented by those Christians who convert to Islam in
order to marry: also in this case, suitable reflection is necessary.
 The question is not simply interreligious, but at times also ecumenical:
there are cases in which a Catholic who has contracted a canonical marriage
and is not able to obtain a declaration of nullity passes to another Christian
confession, remarrying in a Church which permits this. In any case, without
prejudice to the shared patrimony of faith, the need to follow the path of
mercy in difficult situations was underlined.
 With regard to the question of divorced and remarried persons, it was
highlighted that the Synod must certainly take the issue into consideration,
with the prudence required for important matters, but must also combine the
objectivity of truth with mercy for the person and for his or her suffering.
It is necessary to remember that many faithful find themselves in this
situation through no fault of their own.
 Mention was made of the commitment of the Holy See, whose voice is always
heard in the defence of families at all levels ? international, national and
regional ? with the aim of emphasising its dignity, its rights and duties, and
always noting that, as Benedict XVI said, her ?no? is in reality a ?yes? to
life. Therefore, it was underlined that the Church must combat the educational
and religious silence in families, as there is no place for hesitation and
greater commitment to witnessing the Gospel is needed. Creativity in pastoral
ministry is always necessary.
 The Assembly went on to reflect on the indispensable contribution of the lay
faithful to the proclamation of the Gospel in the family: in particular, the
young, ecclesial movements and new communities provide a service of vital
importance, carrying out a prophetic mission that runs counter to the current
of our times. Listening and believing in the laity, therefore, is shown to be
essential, as it is in them and with them that the Church may find the answers
to the problems of the family.
 Another theme taken into consideration was that of the precariousness of work
and unemployment. The distress caused by the lack of a secure job creates
difficulties within families, along with the poverty that often prevents
families from having a home. Furthermore, a lack of money often leads to it
becoming ?deified? and to families being sacrificed on the altar of profit. It
is necessary to re-emphasise that money must serve rather than govern.
 There was further reflection on the need for greater preparation for
marriage, also with special attention to emotional and sexual education,
encouraging a true mystical and familiar approach to sexuality. The great
contribution of grandparents to the transmission of faith in families was then
recalled and it was highlighted how important it is for the family unit to
welcome the elderly with solidarity, care and tenderness. The same care must
be reserved to the sick, to overcome the ?throwaway culture? that Pope Francis
frequently warns against.

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 Other Pontifical Acts
 Vatican City, 8 October 2014 (VIS) ? The Holy Father has:
 - appointed Bishop Fausto Tardelli of San Miniato, Italy, as bishop of
Pistoia (area 821, population 228,600, Catholics 219,300, priests 119,
permanent deacons 22, religious 178), Italy.
 - Bishop Celso Morga Iruzubieta, secretary of the Congregation for the
Clergy, as coadjutor of the archdiocese of Merida-Badajoz (area 17,405,
population 597,300, Catholics 588,100, priests 311, religious 637), Spain.
 - appointed Msgr. Levi Bonatto, of the personal prelature of the Holy Cross
and Opus Dei, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Goiania (area 13,320,
population 2,024,000, Catholics 1,221,000, priests 208, permanent deacons 14,
religious 573), Brazil. The bishop-elect was born in Sao Jose dos Pinhais,
Brazil in 1957 and was ordained a priest in 1996. He holds a degree in
economics from the Federal University of the State of Parana and a degree in
canon law from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, and has
served in a number of pastoral roles, including chaplain of the ?Castelo?
cultural centre in Campinas and of the ?Alfa e Esplanada? cultural centre in
Sao Jose dos Campos; spiritual father for seminarians in the diocese of Sao
Jose dos Campos; chaplain of the ?Os Pinhais? professional centre for girls
with limited economic resources, and professor of canon law and theology at
the ?Studium Generale? of Opus Dei in Sao Paulo. He is currentlychaplain of
the ?Marumbi? cultural centre, coordinator of the ?Santa Cruz? priestly
society in the State of Parana and confessor at the ?Sao Jose? minor seminary
of Curitiba.

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