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 The three-week meeting of bishops from the around the world, known
as a synod, will discuss ways to defend the traditional family and
making life-long marriage more appealing to young people while
seeking common ground with disaffected Catholics such as homosexuals
and those divorced.
The gathering, attended by some 300 bishops, delegates, observers
and 18 married couples, has been preceded by intense jockeying
between conservatives and liberals on a number of sensitive issues.
In his address to open the first working session, Francis said the
bishops should not just talk but try to hear what God wanted for the
Church of 1.2 billion members and to listen to differing opinions
among themselves.
He urged the bishops to humbly empty themselves of conventions and
prejudices to listen to their brother bishops. They should not
"point fingers at the others to judge them" or feel superior to
those with different ideas.
 In a nod to conservatives, he called for courage that "does not let
itself be intimidated by the seductions of the world" and passing
fads.
But, in a passage that appeared to be directed at unbending
traditionalists, he said the bishops should also beware of the
"hardening of some hearts, which despite good intentions, keep
people away from God".
He said Christian faith was "not a museum to look at and save" but
should be a source of inspiration. Francis called on the bishops to
have "courage to bring life and not make our Christian life a museum
of memories".
The bishops, who are meeting behind closed doors, will submit
reports to the pope. He may use these to write his own document,
known an Apostolic Exhortation, on family issues.
FOLLOW-UP TO STORMY MEETING LAST YEAR
The meeting is the final follow-up to a similar meeting held a year
ago. That gathering was marked by stormy differences between
conservatives and liberals on how much the Church should approach
the question of homosexual Catholics.
The immediate run-up has been dominated by gay issues.
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On the eve of the gathering, the Vatican dismissed a Polish priest
from his Holy See job after he came out as gay and called for
changes in Catholic teachings against homosexual activity.
Conservative Catholics held a conference in Rome just before the
synod started on how homosexuals can live by Church rules that they
should be chaste, while Catholic gay activists held another
demanding full acceptance of active gays in the Church.
In its explanation of the firing of the Polish monsignor on
Saturday, the Vatican said his very public coming out was intended
to put undue media pressure on the synod.
Francis appeared to make a reference to outside pressure when he
said the synod should be "a protected space were the Church feels
the action of the Holy Spirit".
Another key topic will be how to involve Catholics who have divorced
and remarried in civil ceremonies.
They are considered by the Church to be still married to their first
spouse and living in a state of sin. Some bishops want a change to
the rules that bar them from receiving sacraments such as communion.
Last month, Francis made it simpler and swifter for Catholics to
secure a marriage annulment, the most radical such reform for 250
years. He told bishops to be more welcoming to divorced couples.
(Reporting By Philip Pullella; editing by Ralph Boulton)
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