Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila, Philippines said he was “shocked” by Catholics’ responses to the global survey on Church teaching regarding the family. The survey was released prior to the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops that was called by Pope Francis and is to be held in October.
As the Catholic Herald reports, Tagle told Catholic News Service that he found the responses of the people “shocking… because almost in all parts of the world, the questionnaires indicated that the teaching of the Church regarding family life is not clearly understood by people.”
“So this is my hope, not for change – how can you change the biblical teachings?” the cardinal added. “But maybe a real pastoral and evangelical concern for the Church: How do we present the Good News of the family to this generation, with its limitations, with its greatness, with its unique experiences?”
Tagle was speaking over the weekend at his alma mater, Catholic University in Washington, D.C., where he participated in commencement activities. In 1991, Tagle earned a doctorate in sacred theology from the university.
Pope Francis appointed Tagle in February as one of three presidents of the Synod of Bishops. Cardinals Andre Vingt-Trois of Paris and Raymundo Assis of Aparecida of Brazil will rotate running the general sessions of the synod with Tagle.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.