Synod Introduction

The Interchurch Families International Network (IFIN) gives a voice to interchurch families at global level, bringing together associations and groups of interchurch families from different parts of the world. Following the Second Vatican Council, with its more positive attitude towards mixed marriages, national and regional groups and associations began to come together in many European countries, beginning in the 1960s (France, Italy, Switzerland, England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany and Austria), and later developed also in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.  The collective expression of the Interchurch Families network has enabled the organisation to express opinions and submit proposal's which reflect the challenges and opportunities experienced by members, in doing so assisting the Synodal work undertaken at various times.

At a multi-lingual world gathering held at Rome in 2003 representatives came from eleven different countries and three continents; it adopted the paper Interchurch Families and Christian Unity, which is still the most comprehensive statement in brief format of the self-understanding of interchurch families, the contribution they feel they can make to Christian unity, and the kind of pastoral understanding they need if they are to fulfil their potential (available in English, French, German and Italian at http://www.interchurchfamilies.org/rome-document/rome-document). IFIN is also in touch with interchurch couples and families in countries where groups and associations do not yet exist, including Africa.

Synod 2015

• IFIN Response to Synod 2015
• Initial Report of Synod 2015 by Ruth Reardon
• Amoris Laetitia - Synod on the family 2015
• IFIN - Comments of Instrumentml Laboris

Synod 2021-2024

• 2022 - Contribution to the Synod Conversation

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS

Amoris Laetitia

Comments from an interchurch perspective by Ruth Reardon

The long-awaited post-synodal apostolic exhortation, on the Joy of Love, was signed by Pope

Francis on 19th March 2016 and published on 8th April in Italian, English, French and

German. This is an attempt to assess the importance of this document from the limited

perspective of what is of particular interest to interchurch families as such...

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Summary of Amoris Laetitia published by Vatican

The Apostolic Exhortation is striking for its breadth and detail. Its 325 paragraphs are distributed over nine chapters. The seven introductory paragraphs plainly set out the complexity of a topic in urgent need of thorough study. The interventions of the Synod Fathers make up [form] a “multifaceted gem” a precious polyhedron, whose value must be preserved. But the Pope cautions that “not all discussions of doctrinal, moral or pastoral

issues need to be settled by interventions of the magisterium”. Indeed, for some questions, “each country or region … can seek solutions better suited to its culture and sensitive to its traditions and local needs...

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