The headlines have come from a draft report issued halfway through an Extraordinary Synod of Bishops this week.

Some interesting details come from long-term Catholic reporters, rather than the mainstream press.

The draft, “while defending fundamental doctrine, calls for the church to build on positive values in unions that the church has always considered ‘irregular,’ including cohabitating couples, second marriages … even homosexual unions,” is how John Thavis the former head of the Catholic News Service, based in Rome, reports it.

Thavis regards this development as a “pastoral earthquake”.

But Robert Mickens, a columnist on the National Catholic Reporter, a notoriously independent newspaper takes a more cautious viewpoint.

“It’s a new application of the same principle the Second Vatican Council adopted when it acknowledged that seeds of truth and sanctification could be found outside the Catholic Church,” Mickens wrote.

“What may have appeared …  as an earthquake might be better described as an icebreaker. Pope Francis has succeeded in cracking open a frank and lively debate among bishops… on issues that many of them were told (by Francis’ predecessors) were not up for discussion…”

According to this analysis, Pope Francis is not only calling for a more pastoral attitude, but a church able to discuss these issues. That might turn out to be the most radical part of the process.

Here’s how the draft report deals with three key groups:

• Unmarried parents: “… have to be dealt with in a constructive manner, seeking to transform them into opportunities to walk towards the fullness of marriage and the family in the light of the Gospel.”
• Divorcees: “Each damaged family first of all should be listened to with respect and love, becoming companions on the journey as Christ did with the disciples of the road to Emmaus.”
• Homosexuals: “Homosexuals have gifts and qualities to offer to the Christian community: Are we capable of welcoming these people, guaranteeing to them a fraternal space in our communities? … Without compromising Catholic doctrine on the family and matrimony?”

The report uses the idea of the “principle of graduality” to open up these thoughts.

Thavis helpfully unpacks that term: “The‘principle of graduality’ – the idea that Catholics move toward full acceptance of church teachings in steps, and the church needs to accompany them with patience and understanding.

“[The report] said a ‘new dimension of today’s family pastoral consists of accepting the reality of civil marriage and also cohabitation.’ Where such unions demonstrate stability, deep affection and parental responsibility, they should be considered a starting point for a dialogue that could eventually lead to sacramental marriage, it said.”

Protestants, and evangelicals in particular, may read accounts of what is happening in the Catholic Church with alarm. This is because in several Protestant denominations “pastoral sensitivity” has resulted in moves that change the teaching in the church.

Examples are easy to find, the Anglican Church in Canada declared same sex marriage to be a pastoral rather than a doctrinal issue which made changes easier to pass and also avoided concern that the doctrinal standards embedded in their constitution were being breached.

The Episcopal church voted to allow the “generous pastoral response” which has meant Bishops have authorised gay marriage despite that Churches’ canons (laws) only allowing men and women to marry according to their prayer-book.

Catholics, who have not experienced that sort of shift, are likely to see things very differently. The 12-page draft report, read carefully, appears to be calling for a radical change in pastoral response, but maintaining the doctrines of the church.

The official text is at http://www.news.va/en/news/synod-on-family-midterm-report-presented-2015-syno

Featured image: Enrique Cornejo