Bishops issue resources/questions on family for reflection ahead of 2015 Synod

Bishops of England and Wales

The Bishops of England and Wales will be putting out documents for the Feast of the Holy Family, following this Autumn’s Extraordinary Synod of Bishops and looking forward to the Ordinary Synod in October 2015, which will look at 'The Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and Contemporary World'. The documents include scriptural resources and questions for the clergy and laity to reflect on. They are intended to complement the lineamenta from the Synod of Bishops.

'The Call, the Journey and the Mission - An Invitation from the Bishops of England and Wales to Reflect on the Gift of Marriage and Family Life' offers background information, Scripture passages, quotes from Pope Francis and presents a series of questions to stimulate discussion and response on the key issues.

Questions

What are your joys and hopes of marriage and family life today?

What are your struggles and fears of marriage and family life today?

How can we better understand marriage as a vocation?

How does your marriage enrich you?

How does your family life enrich those around you?

In what way, through the abiding presence of God, is your family “salt of the earth and light to the world,” and a place of and for handing on our faith?

The Catholic community across the dioceses of England and Wales will be given the opportunity to offer their views and feedback on these questions - possibly a named contact and an email address. The Bishops Conference will publish more early in 2015.

Reflection Documents can be found here: www.catholicnews.org.uk/reflect-on-marriage-and-family-2015