The Vatican has released the framework for a fall meeting with the heads of Eastern Catholic Churches and presidents of bishops’ conferences, marking the 10th anniversary of “Amoris Laetitia” and focusing on the Church’s pastoral approach to families.
In the decade since Pope Francis issued a wide-ranging document on pastoral care for the family, the Catholic Church in the U.S. has leaned into ministries that address often hidden suffering, including infertility, child loss and domestic violence.
What Francis has done, Ivereigh argued, is reconnect the church with grace and with the Holy Spirit.
The course for new bishops was sponsored by the dicasteries for Bishops, for Evangelization and for Eastern Churches.
Pope Francis opened the “Amoris Laetitia” Family Year March 19, encouraging people to read the document, strengthen their families and support other families who may be struggling.
Pope Francis wants us to invoke St. Joseph’s protection, “to seek his prayers and guidance, and to learn from the example of his virtue,” said Archbishop Jose Gomez, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, during a special national Mass.
The statement was a response to a question or “dubium” that came from priests and lay faithful “who require clarification and guidance concerning a controversial issue,” said an official commentary accompanying the statement.
The first step in pastoral ministry with, for and by families must be listening to families describe their real-life joys and challenges, said Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell.
