Marriage, Family and Society

The Pope, Benedict XVI in his message to the American bishops of the Dioceses in the Midwest on the ad limina visit to Rome reflected on the challenges that the Church in America faces, among them on marriage, the family, life, sexuality, culture and catechesis.

The Pope noted:

It is in fact increasingly evident that a weakened appreciation of the indissolubility of the marriage covenant, and the widespread rejection of a responsible, mature sexual ethic grounded in the practice of chastity, have led to grave societal problems bearing an immense human and economic cost.

Yet, as Blessed John Paul II observed, the future of humanity passes by way of the family (cf. Familiaris Consortio, 85). Indeed, "the good that the Church and society as a whole expect from marriage and from the family founded on marriage is so great as to call for full pastoral commitment to this particular area. Marriage and the family are institutions that must be promoted and defended from every possible misrepresentation of their true nature, since whatever is injurious to them is injurious to society itself" (Sacramentum Caritatis, 29).

I hope we in the Philippines learn from the experience of "progressive" and "liberal" nations who have embraced "liberal" ideas which are now manifesting their consequences not only in the life of the Church and Christians, but even, in the society at large.

God bless us. Kyrie eleison.

Holy Week Reflections

Let us reflect on the Paschal Mystery with Filipino Theologian, Fr. Catalino Arevalo, SJ. Please find three other earlier posts.

We are in grace-filled days. May we receieve the graces of these most holy days.

Can love be commanded?

The “commandment” of love is only possible because it is more than a requirement. Love can be “commanded” because it has been freely given. We can love because we have been loved first, because God has loved us first.
- Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est