...from 266 million in 1900 to 1,197 million in 2012, (you can read more about this here) is relevant to discussions about the forthcoming Synod on the Family. This massive growth has taken place chiefly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The Bishops from these territories carry much - much! - more weight than those from Europe at a Synod such as this. Their grasp of the issues concerned - marriage, demography, relationships with non-Christian religions, education, economics - comes from a wide and deep database, and they speak with knowledge and confidence. On issues such as the rights and dignity of women, the superiority of monogamy over polygamy, and the specific healthcare needs of the poor, they have crucial and necessary information to impart. Nor will the Synod be much influenced by chatter from the Western media. Do not make the mistake of assuming that the opinions of media commentators in, say, Canada, Germany, Denmark or the USA will carry much weight at a Synod of the Catholic Church in 2014...
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I was invited to fill up a form which asked for my views, and one thing I said was that we have to remember children in step-families who often feel uneasy about the divorced parent's new relationship. If the Church recognises it, it's not necessarily compassionate to them.
Whether that will carry any weight, I don't know.
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