VATICAN CITY
National Catholic Reporter
Joshua J. McElwee | Oct. 15, 2015
VATICAN CITY
The group of German speaking prelates attending the worldwide meeting of Catholic bishops on family — which includes a rather diverse range of what might be called progressive and conservative voices — has called on the gathering to recognize that church doctrine has developed over time.
The group has also said the church’s understanding of Jesus’ mission on Earth means that there cannot always be one universal principle that applies to all concrete situations.
Writing in their report on the discussions taking place in their small group for the ongoing Oct. 4-25 Synod of Bishops, the German bishops say: “It … became clear to us that we are too static and not biographical-historical in many debates and observations.”
“The Church’s doctrine of marriage was developed and deepened in history,” they write.
The group explains how the church’s understanding of marriage has developed over time — first emphasizing monogamy of marriage, then “the personal dignity of the spouses” before coming to understand the family as the “house church.”
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