Bishop denounces attacks against the family: tricky laws make family break-ups easier

The participants in the Synod on the Family have begun their meetings in working groups to develop concrete proposals. 

Two key bishops appeared at a Vatican press conference to elaborate on the discussions taking place in the working groups.

ARCH. CHARLES CHAPUT
Archbishop of Philadelphia (USA)
'Of course, we are trying to figure out what our responsibilities are and how to do it best in the amount of time that we have, but there's a real dedication on the part of the people who are going to be part of these speaking groups to really do our best to give advice to the Holy Father.�

ARCH. ALVADOR PIí?EIRO
President, Peruvian Episcopal Conference
'We have already seen the challenges last year. And for now, we want to insist on the beauty and the call from God to couples to be spouses and parents, and how the Church can accompany families.�

The Peruvian Archbishop highlighted that many laws do not constructively address the problems of families. 

ARCH. ALVADOR PIí?EIRO
President, Peruvian Episcopal Conference
'We know that there is a tricky attack against the institution of the family. There is a double language. The entire world agrees that the family is the patron of humanity and is the basic cell of society. But softly, in our legislation, there are further grounds for civil divorce, the door opens to the issue of abortion, and we have to bet on the Gospel of Jesus.�

The Archbishop of Philadelphia explained that the challenge for working groups is to present their findings in a way that will apply to diverse circumstances.

ARCH. CHARLES CHAPUT
Archbishop of Philadelphia (USA)
'I think this is an international meeting of the Catholic Church, all of us, and it's important for the work of the Synod not to be narrowly focused on concerns that are primarily the concerns of my country, for example. I think we need to deal with those concerns but that's not the only thing.�

The 270 bishops and almost 100 other people who are participating in the Synod will continue working in groups. On Friday, they will deliver their first conclusions. Although they will only be provisional, the results will give an idea of where the Synod is headed.

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