Catholics begin synod on marriage & sexual morality

The Extraordinary Synod on the Family is underway at the Vatican.  Two hundred bishops of the Roman Catholic Church summoned by the Pope will discuss the church’s teachings about marriage, divorce, contraceptives, annullments, and sexual morality.  In particular, the bishops will study the pastoral issues such teachings raise, such as whether divorced Catholics should receive be allowed to Communion and the fact that most Catholics ignore the church’s teachings about birth control, among other teachings on sex and family.

From BBC News – Pope Francis: Vatican begins landmark synod to discuss family life:

Pope Francis has opened a gathering of more than 200 senior Roman Catholic bishops by urging them not to impose what he called “intolerable moral burdens” on believers.

The gathering, known as a synod, is discussing the Church’s position on controversial issues.They will be joined by lay Catholics to debate abortion, contraception, homosexuality and divorce.

The synod will last two weeks and no immediate changes are expected.

At a Mass opening the gathering, the Pope said he hoped bishops would participate freely in the discussions.

“Synod gatherings are not meant to discuss beautiful and clever ideas, or to see who is more intelligent,” Pope Francis said. Rather, it’s an opportunity to “work generously with authentic freedom and humble creativity,” he said. . . .

The synod will focus particularly on issues related to family life.

Last year, a global survey launched by Pope Francis suggested that the majority of Catholics rejected Church teaching on issues such as sex and contraception.

On Saturday, the Pontiff said he hoped Bishops would respond to the “epochal changes” that families were living through.

Theoretically, Catholic sexual ethics are based on natural law, and so cannot be changed.  If any substantive changes do come out of the synod, that would shake Catholic theology to its core.  More likely are pastoral changes to be “more compassionate.”

Does this have any relevance for non-Catholic Christians?