Familiaris consortio

Familiaris Consortio is a Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, the Pope John Paul II appealed to the bishops, priests and faithful of the whole Church on 22 November 1981. It is subtitled " The Tasks of the Christian family in the world." He summed up with this letter, the results of the Fifth Ordinary Synod of Bishops, held in Rome from September 26 to October 25, 1980, together.

The Synod of Bishops

John Paul II describes in his introduction the great interest of the church for the family and outlined the importance of marriage, family and education in our society. ( FC 2 ) The Pope provides a link to the previous Synods and the Order of the Second Vatican Council ago and declares that the just-ended synod with those on the " ministerial priesthood " and "justice in the world today " in a certain a link is available. ( FC 2 )

" At the conclusion of its deliberations handed me the Synod Fathers an extensive list of proposals (" propositions "). It contains the results of these reflections in those busy days. Unanimously, they asked me to express before humanity the lively solicitude of the Church for the family and to give appropriate instructions for a renewed pastoral commitment in this area as basic human and ecclesial life. "

Structure

In the Apostolic Letter, John Paul II is concerned, according to the introduction, in the first part " - light and shadow with the family today." In the second part follows the aspect of the "Marriage and Family in God's plan " to be followed by the description of the " tasks of the Christian family ." Before he goes to the conclusion he formulated in Part Four of the " family ministry: Times, structures, active participants, special situations ". Some outstanding aspects are now mentioned here:

(Note: The used abbreviation " FC" stands for " Familiaris Consortio ", the digit indicates the consecutive paragraph number in the letter again, eg ( FC 5 ) )

For humanity and family

The key message is: The future of humanity is closely linked to the family and love, John Paul II says that the family is crucial to the fate of people. The family is also for the happiness, the ability of existence and the meaning of man of extraordinary importance (FC 86), it is also the origin and foundation of humanity. " For," he writes, " man can not live without love, and remains, if he does not encounter love, and she learns by itself an incomprehensible Being." ( FC 18 )

About the society and family

One of the fundamental missions of a society is to respect the family and promote (FC 45), this integrates the recognition, respect and strengthen the rights of the family belongs. ( FC 46 ) tasks which can meet the families without support, must remain under their responsibility, but it is a "duty of the authorities to support the family and there where it is necessary to encourage by appropriate means". (FC 45)

For the protection of marriage and family

For the protection of marriage and family is the pope that the " institution of marriage is not an undue interference of society or authority nor a coming from the outside imposition of a form, but a the conjugal covenant of love inherent need ... ". (FC 11) Protection of the family, so he leads on, is a task of utmost urgency, so it raises this importance because of " marriage and the family have an irreplaceable importance for the authentic development of human society ." (FC 42-48 ) the protection of marriage and family shall submit to the Pope in the hands of the public authorities and recommends that "public opinion not only to an underestimation of the importance of the institution of marriage and family is to be misled. (FC 81)

About the dignity and rights of children

To preserve the personal dignity of the child, it is particularly important for the community to give their full attention to the children. " This is true for every child, but takes on special urgency when the child is still small and helpless, sick, ill or disabled ." ( FC 26 )

From the task of education

A significant role in the family is the education acquired in freedom and responsibility of the children. A good education is one of the prerequisites to carry out tasks of various kinds in society. " In education are also taught the children to appropriate values ​​, which are fundamental for every free, honorable and responsible citizens." ( FC 43 ) A good education "appears then to be ensured if the children - be led to dialogue, encounter, for sociality, for compliance with the law, solidarity and peace, by helping them learn the fundamental virtues of justice and charity to practice. ( FC 43 )

To the right of children to education

From the right of children to education nevertheless arises the duty of parents to deal responsibly with the transmission of human life. "Due to the unique nature of the relationship that exists between parents and children; and it is irreplaceable and inalienable, and therefore the other not being entirely delegated or usurped by others in fitting ". ( FC 36 ) Education parents also convey values ​​that are fundamental to the future adult citizens. ( FC 43 ) to this theme is stated that the parents are not the only educators of their children were ( FC 40 ), but the education will be to coordinate, in cooperation with civil and ecclesiastical organizations.

About familial solidarity

The families must be aware that they carry the responsibility for possible changes in society and therefore it needs to take the initiative in family policy. In the redistribution of financial resources, the principle of solidarity must take precedence, which means that the support of the family should be paid much attention. (FC 44-45 ).

The sacrament of marriage

The Pope founded the sacrament of marriage to the fact that the spousal covenant is an important expression of the " communion of love between God and man, and a key to the stations of the great covenant which God made with his people, in their symbolism to comprehend ". (FC 12, 13) The family, which is connected by the sacramental bond, thus testifies that it is connected with the church and the family is a domestic church or church in miniature. Therefore it is called to " sign of unity for the world to be and so exercise their prophetic office ... ". ( FC 48 )

On the nature of marriage and love

The characteristic traits of marriage are: the comprehensiveness with which the spouses what physically and spiritually accounts in all the person, give to each other, the indissolubility and fidelity, fertility for which it is open by nature. (FC 13.19 )

For contraception

" What the " As methods " for practicing responsible procreation, especially sterilization and abortion should be rejected as morally inadmissible. Also, the use of contraceptives in its various forms should be rejected. ( FC 32 ) "

Divorce and remarriage

First mention of the Pope, that the introduction of divorce in the Civil Court a unrelated interpretation of marital Federal advance was paid, the leaves no room for the respect for the sacrament. " The proper respect both for the sacrament of marriage as well as before the couple and their families even before the community of believers forbids any pastor, for any reason or under any pretext, and is this also a pastoral nature, a whatever type of ceremony to perform for divorcees who want to marry again. " ( FC 20 )

On the Value of Women

Earns between family and work, the work of women in the family special attention. The maintenance work, starting with the maternal care, is precisely because it is dedicated to the service of the quality of life and aligned with this, a significant activity there. It must be recognized and valued social accordingly. (FC 23).

The woman in the working world

The work is a basis for the construction of family life, it ensures the livelihood and ensures the education of children. (FC 23) The urgency of a real " recognition of the rights of women in the working world is particularly evident in terms of the charge, the insurance and social care". ( FC 24 )

Older people

The care for the elderly can give testimony that certain aspects of life, such as human and cultural, moral and social values ​​, not by economic or functional criteria are measured. " After all, it is not just about doing something for the old people, it is rather necessary to accept these people in a concrete manner as a responsible employee, promoting projects in which they both in the phase of planning and dialogue participate and implementation. ( FC 27 )