The Primate of All Ireland, Dr Eamonn Martin has said that the Synod on the Family which finished on Sunday will provide the Church with a clear vision of pastoral action for families.

Writing in the Sunday Independent after his return from Rome, where he had served as a moderator of one of the English-language groups discussing the Synod’s theme of ‘The Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and the Contemporary World’, Archbishop Martin said he “ had a sense of being part of something very special and historic in the life of the Church”, adding: “I am confident that the final document, together with Pope Francis’s reflections on it, will provide us with both a manifesto and a challenge for pastoral action in the coming years.”

Commenting on the apparent fixation of the western media to uncover “ intrigue and potential divisions amongst the bishops, particularly on the issues of homosexuality and communion for the divorced and remarried”, Archbishop Martin insisted that “ although these issues were discussed and there was a divergence of opinion, they certainly did not dominate or distract unduly from the main focus of the Synod”.

On this, he said: “It became clear to us that the Church is called to accompany all families as they persevere through the ups and downs of everyday life, and to reach out with particular care and understanding to those who seek God but who have, for whatever reason, been unable to live fully in accordance with the teachings of the Church.”

And he added his personal conviction that those best placed to offer such support to families “are faithful families themselves”.

Making reference to the 2018 World Meeting of Families, to take place in Dublin, Archbishop Martin said Ireland was looking forward to “one of the most significant events in the calendar of the Catholic Church [and] we have much to do.”