VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXII - # 179
DATE 16-10-2014

Summary:
- Twelfth General Congregation: evaluation and suggestions based on the
post-discussion report
- Reports of the Small Groups
- Sistine Chapel: New breath, new light

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 Twelfth General Congregation: evaluation and suggestions based on the
post-discussion report
 Vatican City, 16 October 2014 (VIS) - The twelfth General Congregation
included the presentation, in the Assembly, of the Reports of the ten Small
Groups, divided according to language: two in French, three in English, three
in Italian and two in Spanish. In general, the Small Groups presented both an
evaluation of the "Relatio post disceptationem" (RPD), a provisional document
published at the midway point during the Synod, as well as proposals to
incorporate in the "Relatio Synodi" (RS), the definitive and conclusive
document of the Assembly.
 Firstly, some perplexity was voiced regarding to the publication, although
legitimate, of the RPD since, it was said, this is a working document that
does not express a univocal opinion shared by all the Synod Fathers.
Therefore, after expressing their appreciation of the work involved in drawing
up the text and regarding its structure, the Small Groups presented their
suggestions.
 It was first underlined that in the RPD there is a focus on the concerns of
families in crisis, without broader reference to the positive message of the
Gospel of the family or to the fact that marriage as a sacrament, an
indissoluble union between man and woman, retains a very current value in
which many couples believe. Therefore, the hope was expressed that the RS may
contain a strong message of encouragement and support for the Church and for
faithful married couples.
 Furthermore, it was remarked that it is essential to underline more clearly
the doctrine on marriage, emphasising that it is a gift from God. It was
further proposed that elements not contained in the RPD be integrated in the
RS, such as the theme of adoption, expressing the hope that bureaucratic
procedures be streamlined, both at national and international levels, and also
the themes of biotechnology and the spread of culture via the internet, which
may condition family life, as well as a note regarding the importance of
policies in favour of the family.
 In addition, it was said that greater attention should be paid to the
presence of the elderly within families, and to families who live in
conditions of extreme poverty. The grave problems of prostitution, female
genital mutilation and the exploitation of minors for sexual purposes and for
labour were denounced. It is important, it was said, to underline the
essential role of families in evangelisation and in the transmission of faith,
highlighting their missionary vocation. Overall, the aim is to offer a
balanced and global idea of the "family" in a Christian sense.
 With regard to difficult family situations, the Small Groups highlighted that
the Church should be a welcoming home for all, in order that no-one feel
refused. However, greater clarity was advocated, to avoid confusion,
hesitation and euphemisms in language, regarding for example the law of
gradualness, so that it does not become gradualness of the law. Various
Groups, furthermore, expressed perplexity regarding the analogy made with
paragraph 8 of "Lumen Gentium", inasmuch as this could give the impression of
a willingness on the part of the Church to legitimise irregular family
situations, even though these may represent a phase in the itinerary towards
the sacrament of marriage. Other Groups expressed their hope for a more
in-depth focus on the concept of "spiritual communion", so that it may be
evaluated and eventually promoted and disseminated.
 With regard to possibility of divorced and remarried persons partaking in the
sacrament of the Eucharist, two main perspectives emerged: on the one hand, it
was suggested that the doctrine not be modified and to remain as it is at
present; on the other, to open up the possibility of communication, with an
approach based on compassion and mercy, but only under certain conditions. In
other cases, furthermore, it was suggested that the matter be studied by a
specific interdisciplinary Commission. Greater care was suggested in relation
to divorced persons who have not remarried, and who are often heroic witnesses
of conjugal fidelity. At the same time, an acceleration of the procedures for
acknowledging matrimonial nullity and the confirmation of validity was
advocated; furthermore, it was emphasised that children are not a burden but
rather a gift from God, the fruit of love between spouses.
 A more "Christ-centric" orientation was required, as well as clearer emphasis
of the link between the sacraments of marriage and baptism. The vision of the
world must be one which passes through the lens of the Gospel, to encourage
men and women to the conversion of the heart.
 Furthermore, it was emphasised that, despite the impossibility of equating
marriage between a man and a woman with homosexual unions, persons of this
orientation must receive pastoral accompaniment and their dignity must be
protected, without however implying that this may indicate a form of approval,
on the part of the Church, of their orientation and way of life. With regard
to the issue of polygamy, especially polygamists who convert to Catholicism
and wish to partake in the sacraments, thorough study was suggested.
 The Small Groups advocated broader reflection on the figure of Mary and the
Holy Family, to be better promoted as a model for reference for all family
units. Finally, it was asked that it be highlighted that the RS will in any
case be a preparatory document for the Ordinary Synod scheduled for October
2015.

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 Reports of the Small Groups
 Vatican City, 16 October 2014 (VIS) - The texts of the reports by the twelve
Small Groups (Gallicus A and B, French; Anglicus A, B and C, English; Italicus
A, B and C, Italian; Hibericus A and B, Spanish) of the Third Extraordinary
General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, presented this morning during the
twelfth General Congregation, may be consulted on the Holy See Press Office
Bulletin web page, at:
 http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubbli
o/2014/10/16/0763/03042.html

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 Sistine Chapel: New breath, new light
 Vatican City, 16 October 2014 (VIS) - A press conference was held this
morning in the Holy See Press Office during which the director of the Vatican
Museums, Professor Antonio Paolucci, presented the international congress "The
Sistine Chapel, twenty years on: new breath, new light", which will take place
from 30 to 31 October. The congress coincides with the twentieth anniversary
of the inauguration of the Sistine Chapel by St. John Paul II following the
restoration of Michelangelo's frescoes by the experts Fabrizio Mancinelli and
Gianluigi Colalucci, and with the 450th anniversary of the death of celebrated
artist.
 During the congress, information will be given on the new air conditioning
and lighting systems in the Sistine Chapel, put into effect during the last
three years. Professor Paolucci explained that the great influx of visitors -
more than six million each year with peaks of more than twenty thousand each
day - necessitated "a radical intervention guaranteeing the circulation of
air, the reduction of dust and other contaminants, temperature and humidity
control and an acceptable level of carbon dioxide, factors that, in the long
term, may pose a threat to the conservation of mural paintings, in this case
the 2500 square metres that constitute the most important artistic anthology
of the Italian Renaissance".
 A new lighting system was also necessary, to provide gentle but total
illumination, non-invasive and respecting the complex iconographic, stylistic
and historic reality of the Sistine Chapel. This involved no special
"spotlight" on Michelangelo, but instead providing the possibility of a calm,
objective and at the same time delicate observation of every detail of "this
great catechism that three popes - Sixtus IV, Julius II and Paul III - wished
to display along the walls and on the ceiling of the 'chapel of the world'".

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