On the second day of the Vatican meeting reflecting on 10 years of Amoris Laetitia, the world’s bishops dedicated time to “the reality, beauty, and challenges of families today”. Source: Vatican News.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell and Cardinal Mario Grech urged their fellow bishops to listen to the experiences of families as they lead to a greater understanding of how the Gospel is lived out and how to proclaim it today.
The two cardinals lead the dicasteries most directly connected with the meeting – Cardinal Farrell is prefect of the family dicastery, and Cardinal Grech is the secretary general of the Synod of Bishops.
Cardinal Farrell recalled Pope Leo’s message from March 19: “Our era is marked by rapid changes which make it necessary, even more than 10 years ago, to give particular pastoral attention to families, to whom the Lord entrusts the task of participating in the Church’s mission of proclaiming and witnessing to the Gospel.”
The prefect then explained the goal of the day, October 8, was to “reflect together, in light of the Gospel, on the cultural, economic and social context in which family ministry takes place.”
In particular, he urged placing attention on the spiritual effects of these contexts on people’s lives.
Cardinal Farrell pointed out that the meeting will look at what has changed over the past decade and what leads people to rethink how things are done. He encouraged using concrete examples, which can offer a better understanding of the reality families face.
The discussion will also prompt the question of where people can find support and signs of hope for married and family life as disciples of Christ in today’s world.
Cardinal Farrell challenged the bishops to “take an honest look at the resources available in our local Churches to reach out to families, to understand their daily lives and to support them along the way.”
Cardinal Grech stressed how families “are subjects of the Church’s mission, and we have much to receive and learn from them.” Their examples can help everyone see how the Gospel is lived out each day and how each person is called to share it.
However, within the same family story, both faithfulness and fragility exist. Being committed to living out the Gospel does not mean life will be easy. Families can face uncertainty, suffering, strained relationships and be overwhelmed by political instability, ideological pressures, and social fragmentation.
“Even in the situations of uncertainty and brokenness, there remains a profound longing in the human heart: the desire to love and be loved, to belong, to form stable relationships, and to build a future marked by hope,” Cardinal Grech stated. Recognising this longing can help everyone see God’s grace at work in their lives.
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Amoris Laetitia: ‘We have much to receive and learn’ from families (Vatican News)
