Another paragraph which drew some opposition from the synod fathers was entitled "the questions of young people."
It begins by explaining that the Catholic Church has a rich tradition and understanding "on which to build and from which to propose its own teaching" on the subject of sexual morality. This tradition is said to include the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Pope St. John Paul II's catechesis on the theology of the body, Benedict XVI's encyclical Deus caritas est, and Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation Amoris laetitia.
"But young people, even those who know and live this teaching, express the desire to receive a clear, human and empathetic word from the Church."
The final document goes on to say that sexual morality is often a source of "misunderstanding and estrangement from the Church, as it is perceived as a space of judgment and condemnation."
Young people value authenticity, it states, but are often disoriented by the many social changes taking place: "They express more particularly an explicit desire for discussion on issues related to the difference between male and female identity."
On the question of difference between men and women, the document referenced the equality of men and women before God and said that "domination and discrimination based on sex offends human dignity," forms of which even the Church needs to free itself from.
"The relationship between man and woman is then understood in terms of a vocation to live together in reciprocity and in dialogue, in communion and in fruitfulness in all areas of human experience: couple life, work, education and more," it states.
The document also tackles the topic of the body from the angle of sexual immorality, such as promiscuity, sexual tourism, "fascination for risky behaviors," digital pornography and the display of one's body online.
"These phenomena, to which the new generations are exposed," the document states, "constitute an obstacle for a serene maturation. They indicate unprecedented social dynamics, which influence personal experiences and choices, making them the territory of a sort of ideological colonization."
It is within this context that the Church and Christian families are trying to communicate the gift of sexuality to young people, so that they can "live relationships according to the logic of the Gospel," the report says.
However, the desire to teach this does not always translate into "an adequate affective and sexual education" beyond "sporadic and occasional speeches," it continued, arguing that the Church should put more effort into this area.
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Other topics included within the document are synodality, the issue of abuse, migration, the digital age, art, music and sport, violence and persecution, suffering, education, and seminary formation.
The synod's final report also touches on the work of the Spirit in the life of the Church, vocation, the art of discerning, formation of the conscience, the role of young people in renewing the parish community, and the centrality of the liturgy in the life of the Church.
Hannah Brockhaus is Catholic News Agency's senior Rome correspondent. She grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and has a degree in English from Truman State University in Missouri.