IN October of this year in the Vatican, the
14th ordinary
general assembly of the synod of bishops will take place with the aim
of discussing about the vocation and the mission of the family in the
Church and in the contemporary world.
We need to pray and offer a lot of sacrifices for this event
that surely will have a significant impact on our lives. The theme is
most relevant, but ironically, it is often taken for granted. As a
result, many of us are not aware of the increasingly complicated
duties and responsibilities in that crucial aspect of our life.
In its working paper, called Lineamenta, the bishops are
asked to highlight “the need for mercy in responding to difficult
situations—even asking the bishops to avoid basing their pastoral care
solely on current Catholic doctrine.”
This is a very delicate step that demands a lot of prayers,
sacrifice, study, consultation, etc., since the requirement of
fidelity to the faith has to contend with the need for growth and
adaptation of the same faith without distorting it.
Faith, of course, is a gift from God. As such, it is one and
unchanging, or what is more technically referred to as immutable. But
it is not dead or inert. It is very much alive and active, and knows
how to tackle any human situation however complicated it may be
because of our use or misuse of freedom.
The same Lineamenta asks the bishops to find ways of
promoting authentic family values, giving appropriate training of
clergy in the family ministry, making the Church more present among
those living far away from the Christian faith, enabling the Church to
effectively care for families that are wounded and fragile.
Besides, the working paper includes consideration of
delicate issues like same-sex marriage, divorce and remarriage,
contraception, and cohabitation outside marriage. Of course, there is
a caveat that in all these issues, it should be made clear that the
basic Catholic doctrine of our faith should not be put in doubt.
Again, this is a very delicate and sensitive phase in the
life of the Church. This cannot be treated lightly, and we should not
just let our bishops handle all this without the strong and solid
support of the rest of the faithful.
Aside from our prayers and sacrifices, the other faithful
can contribute by voicing out their observations, suggestions,
clarifications based mainly on their first-person experiences as well
as studies, both individual and collective. Obviously, our bishops
should also listen to them.
We cannot deny that right now the family in general is beset
with all sorts of problems and difficulties. Even looking at the local
scene, we can already see many dysfunctional and broken families.
The problem is aggravated by many of today’s developments
that, while giving us a lot of advantages and conveniences, are also
undermining the very foundations and pillars of the family. The pace
and complexity of life today has taken a toll on family life and
stability.
In many instances, husbands and wives do not live together
because one or the other has to look for work abroad. Young couples
tie the knot without a clear idea of what a lifetime commitment means
and requires. They often base their love on very perishable and
expirable foundations, and not on God’s love. In fact, many do not
know that human love has to be rooted on divine love.
Again, with the new developments around especially in the
field of technology, more division within the family, rather than
greater unity, is observed. The gaps are not anymore generational,
cultural or social. They are becoming more personal and
individualistic.
It’s, of course, good to note that some people are forming
private groups where mutual help is extended to promote more family
life and harmony. They, for example, monitor developments that have
disturbing effects on the family and try to figure out how to handle
them. Let’s hope these groups multiply.
They are also putting up schools where parents are made to
have a more active role on how these schools should be run, what
values ought to be taught or stressed, etc. They have many other good
initiatives like erecting appropriate places for family bonding,
relaxation and rest.
What we should not forget is that the family is not just any
kind of collection of people. It is supposed to reflect the inmost
life of God who is one yet a trinity of persons in an eternal relation
of knowing and loving. The family is not only human. It’s meant to be
divine too.
general assembly of the synod of bishops will take place with the aim
of discussing about the vocation and the mission of the family in the
Church and in the contemporary world.
We need to pray and offer a lot of sacrifices for this event
that surely will have a significant impact on our lives. The theme is
most relevant, but ironically, it is often taken for granted. As a
result, many of us are not aware of the increasingly complicated
duties and responsibilities in that crucial aspect of our life.
In its working paper, called Lineamenta, the bishops are
asked to highlight “the need for mercy in responding to difficult
situations—even asking the bishops to avoid basing their pastoral care
solely on current Catholic doctrine.”
This is a very delicate step that demands a lot of prayers,
sacrifice, study, consultation, etc., since the requirement of
fidelity to the faith has to contend with the need for growth and
adaptation of the same faith without distorting it.
Faith, of course, is a gift from God. As such, it is one and
unchanging, or what is more technically referred to as immutable. But
it is not dead or inert. It is very much alive and active, and knows
how to tackle any human situation however complicated it may be
because of our use or misuse of freedom.
The same Lineamenta asks the bishops to find ways of
promoting authentic family values, giving appropriate training of
clergy in the family ministry, making the Church more present among
those living far away from the Christian faith, enabling the Church to
effectively care for families that are wounded and fragile.
Besides, the working paper includes consideration of
delicate issues like same-sex marriage, divorce and remarriage,
contraception, and cohabitation outside marriage. Of course, there is
a caveat that in all these issues, it should be made clear that the
basic Catholic doctrine of our faith should not be put in doubt.
Again, this is a very delicate and sensitive phase in the
life of the Church. This cannot be treated lightly, and we should not
just let our bishops handle all this without the strong and solid
support of the rest of the faithful.
Aside from our prayers and sacrifices, the other faithful
can contribute by voicing out their observations, suggestions,
clarifications based mainly on their first-person experiences as well
as studies, both individual and collective. Obviously, our bishops
should also listen to them.
We cannot deny that right now the family in general is beset
with all sorts of problems and difficulties. Even looking at the local
scene, we can already see many dysfunctional and broken families.
The problem is aggravated by many of today’s developments
that, while giving us a lot of advantages and conveniences, are also
undermining the very foundations and pillars of the family. The pace
and complexity of life today has taken a toll on family life and
stability.
In many instances, husbands and wives do not live together
because one or the other has to look for work abroad. Young couples
tie the knot without a clear idea of what a lifetime commitment means
and requires. They often base their love on very perishable and
expirable foundations, and not on God’s love. In fact, many do not
know that human love has to be rooted on divine love.
Again, with the new developments around especially in the
field of technology, more division within the family, rather than
greater unity, is observed. The gaps are not anymore generational,
cultural or social. They are becoming more personal and
individualistic.
It’s, of course, good to note that some people are forming
private groups where mutual help is extended to promote more family
life and harmony. They, for example, monitor developments that have
disturbing effects on the family and try to figure out how to handle
them. Let’s hope these groups multiply.
They are also putting up schools where parents are made to
have a more active role on how these schools should be run, what
values ought to be taught or stressed, etc. They have many other good
initiatives like erecting appropriate places for family bonding,
relaxation and rest.
What we should not forget is that the family is not just any
kind of collection of people. It is supposed to reflect the inmost
life of God who is one yet a trinity of persons in an eternal relation
of knowing and loving. The family is not only human. It’s meant to be
divine too.
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