BBC News - Pope Francis: Vatican begins landmark synod to discuss fa...

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5 October 2014 Last updated at 15:23

Pope Francis has opened a gathering of more than 200 senior Roman Catholic bishops by urging them not to impose
what he called "intolerable moral burdens" on believers.
The gathering, known as a synod, is discussing the Church's position on controversial issues.
They will be joined by lay Catholics to debate abortion, contraception, homosexuality and divorce.
The synod will last two weeks and no immediate changes are expected.
At a Mass opening the gathering, the Pope said he hoped bishops would participate freely in the discussions.
"Synod gatherings are not meant to discuss beautiful and clever ideas, or to see who is more intelligent," Pope Francis said.
Rather, it's an opportunity to "work generously with authentic freedom and humble creativity," he said.
Previous synods have had set agendas, with proceedings tightly controlled by the powerful cardinals of the Roman Curia, the
central government of the Church, correspondents say.
The synod will focus particularly on issues related to family life.
Last year, a global survey launched by Pope Francis suggested that the majority of Catholics rejected Church teaching on issues
such as sex and contraception.
On Saturday, the Pontiff said he hoped Bishops would respond to the "epochal changes" that families were living through.
As one of the world's oldest religious institutions, the Catholic Church is in no hurry to change its teachings, says the BBC's
religious affairs correspondent Caroline Wyatt in Rome.
Despite that, many Catholics are hoping the meetings might lead to some change, our correspondent adds.
After these two weeks of debate, the Synod will gather again in a year's time to continue its review.

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