In introducing his Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia (the subject of this series of columns I started last Saturday), Pope Francis says that it is the joy of love among family members that binds the institution to the Church. This joy experienced by families is also the joy of the Church, he writes as an opening statement. He acknowledges the relevance of marriage as an institution, referring to the statement of the Synod Fathers that “for all the many signs of crisis in the institution of marriage, “the desire to marry and form a family remains vibrant, especially among young people, and this is an inspiration to the Church.”
Pope Francis explains that the primary task taken by the Synod Process which involved “an examination of the situation of families in today’s world, and thus for a broader vision and a renewed awareness of the importance of marriage and the family. The complexity of the issues that arose revealed the need for continued open discussion of a number of doctrinal, moral, spiritual, and pastoral questions. The thinking of pastors and theologians, if faithful to the Church, honest, realistic and creative, will help us to achieve greater clarity.”
The Pope says that despite the importance of the magisterium in interpreting marriage and family life, it does not serve as an insurmountable barrier in interpreting any and all aspects of the family, taking into account the guidance of the unique and diverse cultures and traditions. In this regard, he explains: “Unity of teaching and practice is certainly necessary in the Church, but this does not preclude various ways of interpreting some aspects of that teaching or drawing certain consequences from it. This will always be the case as the Spirit guides us towards the entire truth (cf. Jn 16:13), until he leads us fully into the mystery of Christ and enables us to see all things as he does. Each country or region, moreover, can seek solutions better suited to its culture and sensitive to its traditions and local needs. For “cultures are in fact quite diverse and every general principle… needs to be inculturated, if it is to be respected and applied.”
The Pope also acknowledges the accomplishment of the Synod Process as both impressive and illuminating. Explaining the reason which spurred him to write an Apostolic Exhortation, he writes: “I am grateful for the many contributions that helped me to appreciate more fully the problems faced by families throughout the world. The various interventions of the Synod Fathers, to which I paid close heed, made up, as it were, a multifaceted gem reflecting many legitimate concerns and honest questions. For this reason, I thought it appropriate to prepare a post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation to gather the contributions of the two recent Synods on the family, while adding other considerations as an aid to reflection, dialogue and pastoral practice, and as a help and encouragement to families in their daily commitments and challenges.”
Always mindful of the timeliness of the Apostolic Exhortation especially in this Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis gives two reasons for its continuing relevance, saying: First, because it represents an invitation to Christian families to value the gifts of marriage and the family, and to persevere in a love strengthened by the virtues of generosity, commitment, fidelity and patience. Second, because it seeks to encourage everyone to be a sign of mercy and closeness wherever family life remains imperfect or lacks peace and joy.
At this juncture, the Pope gives a passing review of what is to be expected of the document, an overview of sorts. He enumerates this portion in this wise: “I will begin with an opening chapter inspired by the Scriptures, to set a proper tone. I will then examine the actual situation of families, in order to keep firmly grounded in reality. I will go on to recall some essential aspects of the Church’s teaching on marriage and the family, thus paving the way for two central chapters dedicated to love. I will then highlight some pastoral approaches that can guide us in building sound and fruitful homes in accordance with God’s plan, with a full chapter devoted to the raising of children. Finally, I will offer an invitation to mercy and the pastoral discernment of those situations that fall short of what the Lord demands of us, and conclude with a brief discussion of family spirituality.”
Finally, he suggests how the text should be read carefully, cautioning the readers on the inevitable length of the document as it delves on a myriad of issues and concerns. Thus, Amoris Laetitia should be read and digested slowly and patiently, deeply reflecting on its message in order to draw the most benefit from it. He says, given the rich fruits of the two-year Synod process, this Exhortation will treat, in different ways, a wide variety of questions. This explains its inevitable breadth and fullness in details which is unlike any other of the same or similar text written by previous Pontiffs.
It is also in this spirit of relishing and embracing the text that I am writing this series explaining this very important Apostolic Exhortation.
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