Msgr. John Alesandro has written a timely book on Church law about marriage and the family. It was inspired as Pope Francis was inviting bishops of the world to a Synod on the Family.
Synod on the Family
Pope Focuses on Excluded Members of Family
Church leaders from around the world hailed the tone of mercy in Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, “Amoris Laetitia” (“The Joy of Love”), but cautioned against a hurried reading of the document.
Pope to Release Document on the Family April 8
The Vatican has set April 8 for the release of “Amoris Laetitia” (“The Joy of Love”), Pope Francis’ reflection on the family and family life. “Amoris Laetitia” is what is known as a “postsynodal apostolic exhortation,” a document addressed to the whole church reflecting on themes of church life and faith discussed at a gathering of the Synod of Bishops.
Call for More Input from Laity At Future Synods of Bishops
An assembly of bishops at the Vatican should have more input from the lay faithful, said Church experts attending a seminar hosted by the head of the Synod of Bishops.
Pope: Don’t Be Confused; Marriage Is Between One Man and One Woman
Pope Francis said there can be no confusion between God’s plan for marriage as an indissoluble bond between one man and woman who are open to life, and other sorts of unions.
Declutter to Make Room for The Spirit
The latest self-help craze is all about getting rid of the stuff that overwhelms us. Why this obsession with simplifying? And does the movement hold larger significance for our spiritual lives? One hardly needs to be a certified hoarder to know that stuff can overwhelm our spirits.
Synod Document Coming Soon
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, said an apostolic exhortation on the family following the recently concluded Synod of Bishops could be released soon.
Steps to Strengthen Marriages
Family life is beautiful and important. It is in a family that a child comes to know that he or she is loved and first learns to love others. It is in the family where a child first recognizes the gift of faith and the obligations of charity. While beautiful and important, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, also reminds us that no family is perfect.
Waiting for Francis
Last Sunday was the last day of the Synod on the Families at the Vatican. Now we as the Church are awaiting the Pope Francis’ response to the document prepared by the Synod Fathers. As we read the “Relatio” prepared by the Bishops for the Holy Father, we are reminded of several things. The first is that this is not a contest, not a battle between “conservatives” and “progressives.” As we have stated previously, the synod was a dialogue between good people, with good intentions, about good things.
Disagreement At the Synod Over Results
Some synod members said the final report of the Synod of Bishops on the family did not create an opening for the divorced and civilly remarried to receive Communion. Other members took a different view.
