This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29495835
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Pope Francis: Vatican begins landmark synod to discuss family life | Pope Francis: Vatican begins landmark synod to discuss family life |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Pope Francis and more than 200 senior bishops are meeting at the Vatican to discuss some of the most controversial issues affecting the Catholic Church. | Pope Francis and more than 200 senior bishops are meeting at the Vatican to discuss some of the most controversial issues affecting the Catholic Church. |
| They will be joined by lay Catholics to debate abortion, contraception, homosexuality and divorce. | They will be joined by lay Catholics to debate abortion, contraception, homosexuality and divorce. |
| The extraordinary synod lasts two weeks and a follow-up meeting will be held next year. | |
| Pope Francis said on Saturday that he wanted bishops to really listen to the Catholic community. | Pope Francis said on Saturday that he wanted bishops to really listen to the Catholic community. |
| He said he hoped they would have a "sincere, open and fraternal" discussion that would respond to the "epochal changes" that families were living through. | He said he hoped they would have a "sincere, open and fraternal" discussion that would respond to the "epochal changes" that families were living through. |
| Last year, a global survey launched by Pope Francis suggested that the majority of Catholics reject Church teaching on issues such as sex and contraception. | Last year, a global survey launched by Pope Francis suggested that the majority of Catholics reject Church teaching on issues such as sex and contraception. |
| As one of the world's oldest religious institutions, the Catholic Church is in no hurry to change its teachings, says the BBC's religious affairs correspondent Caroline Wyatt in Rome. | As one of the world's oldest religious institutions, the Catholic Church is in no hurry to change its teachings, says the BBC's religious affairs correspondent Caroline Wyatt in Rome. |
| No-one should expect rapid results from this Synod, but many Catholics are hoping that it will bring some change, our correspondent adds. | No-one should expect rapid results from this Synod, but many Catholics are hoping that it will bring some change, our correspondent adds. |
| After these two weeks of debate, the Synod will gather again in a year's time to continue its review. | After these two weeks of debate, the Synod will gather again in a year's time to continue its review. |
| The Catholic Church has more than one billion members around the world. | The Catholic Church has more than one billion members around the world. |