The Vatican has released a preparatory text, known as the Instrumentum Laboris, for this October's family synod. The document, entitled “The vocation and the mission of the family in the Church and contemporary world”, covers everything from bereavement to infertility and gender theory to economic inequality. But it also touches on hot-button issues such as Communion for the remarried, annulments and homosexuality. How will the text shape the debate in October? Does the document suggest that the synod fathers have already reached a consensus on these controversial topics? What exactly has prompted the Polish bishops to promise to defend Church teaching on marriage at the synod? And what is the significance of the so-called “shadow synod” held in Rome last month? To answer these questions, I spoke to the commentator Fr Mark Drew...