Vatican City, 8 October 2014 (VIS) –
In the fifth general Congregation, which took place tis morning and
which the Holy Father did not attend on account of the general
audience, the general debate continued on the themes outlined in the
Instrumentum laboris: “The Pastoral Challenges of the Family (Part
II, Chapter 2). The Crisis of Faith and Family Life / Critical
Situations within the Family / External Pressures on the Family /
Special Situations”.
First and foremost, the debate focused
on the Church in the Middle East and in North Africa. Both exist in
difficult political, economic and religious situations, with serious
repercussions on families. Where there are laws that impede the
reunification of families, poverty leads to migration, where there is
religious fundamentalism and Christians do not enjoy equal rights
with Muslim citizens, there are often difficult problems for families
resulting from mixed marriages.
Indeed, in these contexts,
interreligious or so-called “mixed” marriages are present and on
the increase in these contexts. It was said that the challenge of the
Church is therefore to understand what form of catechesis may be
offered to children born of such a union and how it is possible to
respect to the unknown situation of those Catholics who, united in
mixed marriages, wish to continue to practice their religion. Such
couples, it was said, must not be neglected and the Church must
continue to take care of them. A further challenge is also
represented by those Christians who convert to Islam in order to
marry: also in this case, suitable reflection is necessary.
The question is not simply
interreligious, but at times also ecumenical: there are cases in
which a Catholic who has contracted a canonical marriage and is not
able to obtain a declaration of nullity passes to another Christian
confession, remarrying in a Church which permits this. In any case,
without prejudice to the shared patrimony of faith, the need to
follow the path of mercy in difficult situations was underlined.
With regard to the question of divorced
and remarried persons, it was highlighted that the Synod must
certainly take the issue into consideration, with the prudence
required for important matters, but must also combine the objectivity
of truth with mercy for the person and for his or her suffering. It
is necessary to remember that many faithful find themselves in this
situation through no fault of their own.
Mention was made of the commitment of
the Holy See, whose voice is always heard in the defence of families
at all levels – international, national and regional – with the
aim of emphasising its dignity, its rights and duties, and always
noting that, as Benedict XVI said, her “no” is in reality a “yes”
to life. Therefore, it was underlined that the Church must combat the
educational and religious silence in families, as there is no place
for hesitation and greater commitment to witnessing the Gospel is
needed. Creativity in pastoral ministry is always necessary.
The Assembly went on to reflect on the
indispensable contribution of the lay faithful to the proclamation of
the Gospel in the family: in particular, the young, ecclesial
movements and new communities provide a service of vital importance,
carrying out a prophetic mission that runs counter to the current of
our times. Listening and believing in the laity, therefore, is shown
to be essential, as it is in them and with them that the Church may
find the answers to the problems of the family.
Another theme taken into consideration
was that of the precariousness of work and unemployment. The distress
caused by the lack of a secure job creates difficulties within
families, along with the poverty that often prevents families from
having a home. Furthermore, a lack of money often leads to it
becoming “deified” and to families being sacrificed on the altar
of profit. It is necessary to re-emphasise that money must serve
rather than govern.
There was further reflection on the
need for greater preparation for marriage, also with special
attention to emotional and sexual education, encouraging a true
mystical and familiar approach to sexuality. The great contribution
of grandparents to the transmission of faith in families was then
recalled and it was highlighted how important it is for the family
unit to welcome the elderly with solidarity, care and tenderness. The
same care must be reserved to the sick, to overcome the “throwaway
culture” that Pope Francis frequently warns against.
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