The Law of Graduality in the Relatio Synodi of the III Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops: The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization, October 18, 2014

Abstract

The extraordinary Synod on the Family that took place in 2014 ended up in a preparatory document for the ordinary synod held in 2015, called Relatio Synodalis. From this document we highlight the law of graduality, principle already tackled by the Apostolic exhortation Familiaris consortio in its articles 9 and 34, when it refers to the union of husbands and wives. In fact, we argue that, though in different ways, both the Relatio post-disceptationem and the Relatio Synodalis take into consideration and apply the law of graduality. How can we understand this? Undoubtedly, from a theological perspective, in which a growing configuration of husbands and wives to Christ make present in their person the action of the Holy Spirit that the Risen One sends them. Based on this, their nuptial behaviors are capable of communicating this force of Love, provided that they know through faith the Mystery in which they are immersed; that they are increasingly open to the presence of Love in themselves, and therefore they are capable of defeating the temptations. In this theological context of application of the law of graduality, that presupposes a filial vocation, the access to communion of husbands and wives would have in Familiaris consortio 84 its own place of accompaniment and experience. This occurs since husbands and wives are held in a filial-fraternal condition that approaches them to the Eucharist, which in turn strengthens them in their deepest reality.