Pope Francis for setting aside prejudices

Vatican City: Pope Francis on Monday told a contentious gathering of the world’s bishops on family issues to put aside their personal prejudices and have the courage and humility to be guided by God.

Francis told 270 cardinals, bishops and priests that the three-week synod isn't a parliament where negotiations, plea bargains or compromises take place. Rather, he said, it is a sacred, protected space where God shows the way for the good of the church.

In his opening remarks Monday, Francis repeated a phrase he used in his homily a day earlier that the church’s law cannot become an impediment to its mission of mercy. “God created law and the Sabbath for man, not vice versa,” he said.

He called for the bishops to show apostolic courage, evangelical humility and faithful prayer over next three weeks. He said humility was needed so bishops empty themselves of “their own beliefs and prejudices to listen to their brother bishops and fill themselves with God.”