Pope Francis Opens Divisive Vatican Meeting of Bishops on Family Issues

From USA Today:

Pope Francis on Sunday opened a three-week meeting of world bishops divided over divorce, homosexuality and cohabitation by re-affirming marriage as a sacred bond between a man and woman, while also gently saying the church should "seek out and care for hurting couples."

Following on the heals of the pope's 10-day trip to Cuba and the United States, Francis is overseeing this annual session of 270 bishops, known as a synod, which could play an instrumental role in the future of his reform-minded papacy and the world's 1.2 billion Catholics.

Crucial topics include divorced couples and those who have remarried in a civil service and whether they will be allowed to receive Communion.

Francis told the bishops meeting in Vatican City that when marriages fail, the church "should be a 'field hospital' with doors wide open to whoever knocks in search of help and support."

But he also reaffirmed that the church remain steadfast in "defending the unity and indissolubility of the conjugal bond," adding that it should "not be changed by passing fads or popular opinions."

Read more here.