"In the Synod there indeed is doctrine, but there is also the obvious action of Jesus, full of mercy and compassion. Combining these two aspects is always a challenge for the Church, the pastors and, of course, also for the laity." Cardinal Christoph Shönborn, Archbishop of Vienna, stated this during the daily briefing on the work of the Extraordinary Synod on the Family, on Thursday morning in the Vatican press office.
The Cardinal, wanting to illustrate how the Church’s doctrine fits into concrete cases in life, then spoke about his experience of the division within the family: "My parents were divorced and I know well, from the viewpoint of a child, the reality of a family that lives a split: one week with one parent and the next with the other. I, together with the whole Church, speak therefore of a concrete truth and not just an abstract ideal. What is the truth? Simply that children need a mother and a father who are united and truly love one another. But that is not all. Since, as far as parents are concerned, we must admit that they need a journey in faith that will lead them to overcome the pain of separation and to forgive each other." Therefore, said the Cardinal, "we must not forget the doctrine nor the duty to accompany those who are wounded, as the Pope has reminded us with the beautiful image of the Church as a field hospital." Then Card. Schönborn compared the Synod to a big family where, on the one hand, the father says to his son, "Do not be afraid, go ahead" and, on the other, the mother says, "wait, be prudent."
Finally, the Archbishop of Vienna said that these days, the Synod has spoken extensively of the sacrament of confession given to people who live family situations that are problematic, disorganized or difficult. "The role of each one’s conscience, personalized paths and dialogue with the priest—commented the director of the Vatican Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi—are all elements that compose a theme present throughout the Assembly."
