Preparatory Document

The Lineamenta - or preparatory document - for the 2014 extraordinary general session of the Synod of Bishops on the family gives more information on the Vatican meeting that will examine the "Pastoral Challenges to the Family in the Context Of Evangelization".

The Lineamenta – or preparatory document – for the 2014 extraordinary general session of the Synod of Bishops on the family gives more information on the Vatican meeting that will examine the “Pastoral Challenges to the Family in the Context Of Evangelization”.

You can download the document as a PDF using the link in the top right-hand corner of this page.

Here’s a summary of the contents of the Lineamenta.

I. Synod: Family and Evangelization

II. The Church and the Gospel on the Family

  • The Plan of God, Creator and Redeemer
  • The Church’s Teaching on the Family

III. Questions

  • The Diffusion of the Teachings on the Family in Sacred Scripture and the Church’s Magisterium
  • Marriage according to the Natural Law
  • The Pastoral Care of the Family in Evangelization
  • Pastoral Care in Certain Difficult Marital Situations
  • On Unions of Persons of the Same Sex
  • The Education of Children in Irregular Marriages
  • The Openness of the Married Couple to Life
  • The Relationship Between the Family and the Person
  • Other Challenges and Proposals

Questionnaire

The online Synod consultation has now Closed. However some of our dioceses are still accepting responses to the Holy See’s family questionnaire. These Diocese can be found at our Diocesan Contacts page.

1980 Synod on the Family

You can also look back on the last Synod of Bishops meeting on the family held in 1980 that resulted in the document Familiaris Consortio.

Click for our full section.