“Amoris Laetitia” (“The Joy of Love”)

Joseph, Mary and Jesus are models of how our domestic churches should operate: with humility, sacrifice and service.

Everything in the document “Amoris Laetitia” on marriage and family life is based on Catholic Church teaching “always in continuity — without ruptures — yet always maturing,” Pope Francis said.

Washington Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl has issued a broad and detailed pastoral plan for parishes to implement Pope Francis’ post-synodal apostolic exhortation, “Amoris Laetitia” (“The Joy of Love”).

Published in French, the 417-page book, “Politique et Societe” (“Politics and Society”) was to be released Sept. 6. Catholic News Service obtained an advance copy, and excerpts appeared online.

Under certain circumstances and after long prayer and a profound examination of conscience, some divorced and civilly remarried Catholics may return to the sacraments, said the bishops of Malta.

Everything in “Amoris Laetitia,” Pope Francis’ exhortation on the family, sprang from consultations with Catholics around the world and was thoroughly discussed by the bishops at the 2014 and 2015 synods on the family, Pope Francis said.

The church is not a prop for one’s ego, a soapbox for ideas or a suit of armor protecting a sad life, Pope Francis said.

Four cardinals said they formally asked Pope Francis to clarify his teaching on Communion for the divorced and civilly remarried and, not receiving a response after two months, they released their letter to the press.