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THE Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference is hoping that the Post-Synodal Exhortation on the Family will help diffuse some of the forces that militate against the family today.
The pontiff is expected to release a document, technically called an “apostolic exhortation” next month drawing conclusions from the two Synods of Bishops on the Family of October 2014 and 2015.
The question of whether or not divorced and civilly remarried Catholics should receive communion is expected to be one of the issues he addresses.
Already, couples married only under traditional customary law do not partake in holy sacraments. It is against this background that the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference will hold a plenary to deliberate on the “Impact of Societal Woes on its Basic Unit, the Family”.
“It is hoped that the outcome of the reflection will help raise awareness about how certain social situations and trends pose real challenges for the institution of the family.
“It should be everyone’s aspiration to create a conducive environment for the family. In addressing the family we are not only talking about the current situation but the future of humanity. Pope Francis’ Exhortation will be of immense help in these reflections,” Father Chiromba, the ZCBC general secretary, said.
Under discussion at the 2015 synod were the effects of war, immigration, domestic violence, polygamy, inter-religious marriages, cohabitation, breakdown of marriage, divorce and remarriage. Failure to marry in church means that many Catholics who were baptised and received communion as youth fail to receive the Eucharist.
There are seven sacraments in the Catholic Church: baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, penance, anointing of the sick, holy orders and matrimony.
Baptism is considered the first fundamental sacrament and gateway to the others; while confirmation is conferred usually by a bishop through anointing with chrism and laying of hands.
The Eucharist renders present the body and blood of Christ for communion and the sanctification of the people of God, that they become Christ-like.
With penance, the faithful receive pardon through God’s mercy for sins committed while the sacrament of anointing heals and strengthens the faithful who are afflicted by illness.
Holy orders is the sacrament by which bishops, priests and deacons are ordained and receive the power and grace to perform their duties.
In his messages, the pontiff has also reiterated that marriage is between a man and a woman.
Pope Francis recently visited Kenya, Uganda and the Central Republic of Africa.
Fr Chiromba said when Southern Africa features on his itinerary, he hopes Zimbabwe will be one of the countries the pope visits.
Zimbabwe’s last Papal visit was in 1988, and local bishops make an official visit to Rome every five years with their last being in 2015.
Online Reporter