Bruno Forte: “There was widespread consensus on all the paragraphs of the final document.”

“Mercy is neither do-goodery nor weakness” says the Synod’s Special Secretary

by Andrea Tornielli

“Vatican Insider” interviews the Special Secretary of the Synod, the Archbishop of Chieti, Bruno Forte: “There was widespread consensus on all the paragraphs of the final document.” Regarding the controversy over the paragraph on homosexuality following the discussion on gay people, the archbishop said: “I am not the only brains behind the document, nor the only author”

“As far as I could tell, the Synod Fathers worked closely with the Pope. Although we did argue quite a bit, everyone tried to be supportive to families, particularly those facing difficult situations,” said the Archbishop of Chieti-Vasto, Mgr. Bruno Forte. Mgr. Forte is an eminent theologian who was consecrated by the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.Forte, who was Special Secretary of the Synod on the Family, has played a key role over the past two weeks, coordinating the document drafting process.


How do you view the final result of the Synod?

“Very positively because there was widespread consensus on all the points contained in the final document, even those which did not obtain he two-thirds majority; these were nevertheless approved by a significant majority, meaning that more than 50% of bishops agreed.”


Is the Church divided?

“No, on the contrary. As far as I could tell, the Synod Fathers worked closely with the Pope. Although participants spoke frankly and although we did argue quite a bit, everyone tried to be supportive to families, particularly those facing difficult situations. We are all pastors who are in touch with the people and we all share the same goal: to proclaim God’s love to everyone.”


But neither the paragraph which outlined the positions of those in favour and against granting remarried divorcees access to the sacraments, nor the paragraph relating to gay people obtained a two-thirds majority…

“The paragraph on gay people presented two texts from the Catholic magisterium which have already been assimilated by the Church, while the paragraph on remarried divorcees outlined two positions which emerged during the Synod debate. The outcome of the vote cannot therefore be seen as a sign of disagreement against something, because as I said, both viewpoints were mentioned. In my opinion, the result shows a need to reflect and mature further. The Pope wants us to continue reflecting. Now, the entire final document will be merged into the text that is going to be sent to the local Churches. This journey is not yet over, it is still work in progress.”

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