In a report back to the synod, the German-speaking small group presented another way of looking at the issue.

They argue that the Church might be able to use what is called the "internal forum" to allow some civilly remarried persons to take the Eucharist on a private, case-by-case basis after seeking guidance, advice, and then permission from priests or bishops.

German Cardinal Walter Kasper had earlier proposed a "penitential path" for such couples in certain cases.

Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising said his group considered the internal forum possibility after debating different arguments made by St Thomas Aquinas.

The cardinal said the group had focused on arguments made by Aquinas that call for evaluating different situations to discern how to act in each situation.

"What is the application to the special situation and to the special person in his situation?" Cardinal Marx said they asked.

The cardinal said the proposed German process would involve a person, with guidance from a priest or bishop, looking back at the failure of the first marriage to see if they have made reconciliation with people they might have offended and are taking care of any responsibilities from that union.

"That is not a public process, but that is a spiritual way and then you can find a way if and when it might be possible to make a full reconciliation," said the cardinal.

According to Cardinal Marx, the German-speaking small group was unanimous in making the proposal.

The group includes Cardinal Gerhard Muller, the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

An Italian-speaking small group at the synod made a similar suggestion to the German one.

The reports of the 13 small groups at the synod were released earlier this week.

Source

• National Catholic Reporter
• Image: Abyssum.org

Sacred Heart of Mary Sister Maureen Kelleher told the National Catholic Reporter that the ordained men at the synod have a distinct culture and a common background.

Sr Kelleher is an auditor at the synod; she is one of 32 women serving at the synod in non-voting roles.

Speaking of the atmosphere at the synod, she said: "These men have all pretty much studied together through formation and onward - [and] are very steeped in the magisterium and the canons and the different papal documents that have come out and have formed them."

The synod small group of which Sr Kelleher is a member is being co-led by Canadian Cardinal Thomas Collins.

US prelates Archbishop Charles Chaput, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo and Archbishop Jose Gomez are also members of the group.

Sr Kelleher said she has faced some difficulty in the group.

While she said she feels free to talk to any of the members in a friendly manner during coffee breaks, there are also "times that I have felt the condescension so heavy, you could cut it with a knife".

"I see a high level of non-acceptance of us as holding up half the sky," she said, referring to some bishops' difficulty in working with women.

"It's very clear that I'm not speaking with one iota of formation on some of the teachings that have formed these men in the seminary," said Sr Kelleher.

"Some of it is, 'Oh, here comes the bleeding heart. Well, she's a woman what else would you expect?', kind of thing."

Sr Kelleher said she has seen prelates struggling to be as pastorally sensitive as possible while being faithful to what they believe.

Sr Kelleher said she has been watching a faith community in a "knot" at the synod.

"I don't know what's going to happen when the Pope gets this product," she said, referring to the final document the synod is expected to write and then give to Pope Francis.

Sources

• National Catholic Reporter
• Image: Naples News