Portsmouth, England, Oct 17, 2013 / 15:07 pm
Next year's synod on the family and evangelization is a chance to renew family life and the Catholic vision of marriage, Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth, England has said.
"How might we educate, form and support Catholics to embrace with joy the Church's vision and to put it into practice?" the bishop asked.
The extraordinary synod will be held at the Vatican in October 2014 to discuss the pastoral care of the family and pastoral challenges in the context of evangelization. About 150 leading bishops are expected to attend.
Bishop Egan, in an Oct. 15 letter to the clergy and laity of his diocese, said the synod is an opportunity to reflect on marriage preparation, the valid celebration of marriage, and pastoral care and support for married couples and family life.