Amoris Laetitia", the exhortation of Pope Francis

After the Synod on the Family in 2014 and 2015, the post-synodal exhortation entitled Amoris Laetitia , signed by Pope Francis , who has studied the conclusions reached by the Synod Fathers and synthesized and processed a lengthy and detailed text, full of deep thoughts and interesting ideas, which express the Catholic doctrine on marriage, family and sexuality.

For two years, triggered antibergogliani they spoiled the prophesying air after the Synod would "come down all" , announcing the legitimacy of same-sex unions, divorce and the destruction of the sacramental nature of marriage with the introduction of the communion for divorced and remarried. Significant choosing the Vatican correspondent Marco Tosatti , certainly not a progressive, holder so " Much ado about nothing, or nearly?" . Why "on hot topics that have passionate newspapers and monsignori in the last two Synods, the post-synodal exhortation he has in effect left things as they were before the clamor of battle" . In particular, it has been "abandoned the desire to create general rules for the inclusion that characterized the first part of the debate, particularly on the part of some European bishops' conferences, and some theologians, like the card. Kasper ' .

And 'an exhortation that it has found acclaim from the world also called the media "traditionalist". The Archbishop of New York, Timothy Dolan , for example: "The only real revolution which can be seen between the pages of the exhortation is the tenderness of the revolution is not only one of the categories of this pontificate, but also a the symbols with which to view the family through this document " . And, "Once again the Church under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is sincerely trying to be true to the timeless teachings of Jesus, and yet tries to apply them in a compassionate, understandable and gentle" . Great appreciation even by Msgr. Vincenzo Paglia , who was appointed archbishop and wanted by Benedict XVI as President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, and Massimo Gandolfini , spokesman for the Family Day , thanks to this exhortation of the Pope, "the doctrine of the Church does not change, rather it strengthens » . Even on conservative newspapers such as Il Giornale ,it specifies the positivity of the pontifical document.

Even the US Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke , always well idolized and praised by traditionalists, explained that "Amoris laetitia does not aim to change the pastoral work of the Church with regard to those living in an irregular union, but to faithfully apply the constant pastoral the Church as the faithful expression of the ministry of Christ himself, in the context of today's culture. The only right key for interpreting Amoris laetitia is the constant doctrine and discipline of the Church regarding marriage " . Father Bernardo Cervellera , director of AsiaNews , rightly estimated by Antonio Socci (and personal friend), wrote: "The Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis [...], is the sweet and powerful Catholic vision of humanity that makes its way, It corrects, brightens, and exceeds a rationalist conception and banal ego, love, society " .

Below , we sampled the opinions of the Pope on some of the hottest topics, however, invite a full reading of the exhortation Amoris Laetitia , without reducing those aspects where there was more media discussion.

EROS, SEXUALITY ', NATURAL METHODS (AND BIRTH)
"Often we presented the wedding so that its unitive end , the invitation to grow in love and mutual aid remained perfect in the shade for an accent almost exclusive place on the duty of procreation. "

"Although population decline, due to an anti-birth mentality and policies promoted by the world's reproductive health, not only leads to a situation in which the succession of generations is no longer assured, but it is likely to lead over time to an economic impoverishment and a loss of hope for the future. The development of biotechnology has also had an impact on the birth rate. They may have other factors such as industrialization, the sexual revolution , the fear of overpopulation, economic problems, [...]. The consumer society can also deter people from having children just to maintain their freedom and their lifestyle. It 'true that the right conscience of the couple when they were very generous in the transmission of life, can direct them to the decision to limit the number of children to sufficiently serious reasons, but always for the sake of this dignity of conscience the Church rejects with all the his strength coercive intervention of the state in favor of contraception , sterilization or even abortion. These measures are unacceptable even in places with high birth rate, but it is notable that the politicians are also encouraging in some countries suffering the tragedy of a very low birth rate. It should be rediscovered the message of the encyclical Humanae vitae of Paul VI, which emphasizes the need to respect the dignity of the person in the moral evaluation of the methods of birth regulation . "

"Marriage is also a friendship that included treasury notes of passion, but always oriented towards union gradually more stable and intense way. Why was not established only for procreation , but so that mutual love having their legitimate manifestations, are mature developments and arrivals. This peculiar friendship between a man and a woman buys a totalitarian character that is given only in the conjugal union. Just because it's all-encompassing this union is also exclusive, faithful and open to the generation. He shares everything, including sex , always with mutual respect. Benedict XVI [...] replied that, although there have been exaggerations in Christianity asceticism or diverted, the official teaching of the Church, faithful to the Scriptures, has not rejected "eros as such, but has declared war on a warped and destructive, as the false deification of eros [...] strips it of its dignity and dehumanizes " .

"God himself created the sexuality , which is a wonderful gift for his creatures. When the is cultivated and avoids missing of control, it is to prevent to occur the impoverishment of an authentic value. Saint Giovanni Paolo II rejected the idea that the teaching of the Church leads to "a denial of the value of human sex" or simply tolerate "the very necessity of procreation" . The sexual needs of the spouses is not an object of contempt and "is not in any way put in question the need" . Sexuality is not a resource to reward or entertain, since it is an interpersonal language where the other is taken seriously, with its sacred and inviolable value. In this context, eroticism appears as specifically human manifestation of sexuality, it can be found in the spousal significance of the body and the true dignity of the gift. In his catechesis on the theology of the human body, St. Giovanni Paolo II taught that sexual corporeity "is not only of fertility and procreation source" , but has "the ability to express love, that love in which the ' person becomes a gift " . The more healthy eroticism, although it joined a search for pleasure, presupposes the amazement, and therefore can humanizing impulses. "

"In no way can we understand the erotic dimension of love as bad or permitted as a burden to bear for the good of the family, but as a gift from God that beautifies the encounter between the couple. In the context of this positive vision of sexuality, it is appropriate to set the theme in its integrity and with a healthy realism. In fact we can not ignore that many times sexuality becomes depersonalized and also is full of disease, so that becomes the occasion and instrument for self-assertion and the selfish satisfaction of personal desires and instincts. In this age becomes higher the risk that sexuality is dominated by the poisonous spirit of ' "disposable." The other's body is often handled as something to keep until provides satisfaction and to be despised when he loses attractiveness. You can probably ignore or gloss over the constant forms of domination, bullying, abuse, perversion and sexual violence, which are the result of a distortion of the meaning of sexuality and burying the dignity of others and the call to love in an obscure search of themselves? Acts their sexual union of husband and wife respond to the nature of sexuality willed by God if they are made in a truly human way. However, the refusal of the distortions of sexuality and eroticism should never lead us to despise or neglect. The ideal of marriage can not only be configured as a generous donation and sacrifice, where each renunciation of all personal needs and cares only to the good of others without any satisfaction. Recall that a true love is able to also receive other hand, is able to accept themselves as vulnerable and needy, it does not give to accept with sincere gratitude and happy corporal expressions of love in the caress, embrace, kiss and the sexual union . Benedict XVI was clear about that: "Should he aspire to be pure spirit and to reject the flesh as pertaining to his animal nature alone, then spirit and body would both lose their dignity" . For this reason "man can not live by oblative descendant. He can not always give, he must also receive. Who wishes to give love must also receive love as a gift " . This requires, in any case, remember that the human balance is fragile, which is always something that resists being humanized and that at any time can go wild again, recovering his most primitive tendencies and selfish. "

"With the" culture of the provisional "I mean, for example, the speed with which people go from an emotional relationship to another. They believe that love, as in social networks, you can connect or disconnect at will of the consumer and also quickly lock. I also think the fear aroused by the prospect of a lifelong commitment, obsession leisure , relationships that calculate costs and benefits and are maintained only if they are a means to overcome the loneliness, for protection or to receive some service. He moved to the emotional relationships that happens with objects and the environment, everything is excludable, each disposable , waste and breaks, exploits and squeezes until serving. And then goodbye. Narcissism makes people incapable of looking beyond themselves, to their own desires and needs. But those who use other sooner or later ends up being used, manipulated and abandoned with the same logic. It 'worth noting that the ties ruptures occur many times between adults who are looking for a kind of "autonomy" and reject the ideal of growing old together taking care of each other and sustaining. "

EUTHANASIA AND SUICIDE ASSISITO. 
"Euthanasia and assisted suicide are serious threats for families around the world. Their practice is legal in many states. The Church, while firmly opposes these practices, feels obliged to help families who take care of their elderly and sick members. "

HOMOSEXUAL UNIONS AND WEDDINGS. 
"No one can think that weaken the family as a natural society founded on marriage is something that benefits the company. The opposite occurs: affect the maturation of the people, the care of community values and ethical development of cities and villages. There is no perceived more clearly that only the 'exclusive and indissoluble union between a man and a woman performs a full social function, being a stable commitment and making it possible to fertility. We must recognize the wide variety of family situations that may offer some rule of life, but de facto unions or same-sex, for example, can not be equated simplistically to marriage. No precarious union or closed to the transmission of life and assures us the future of society. But those who work today to support the spouses, to help them overcome the risks that threaten them, to accompany them in their educational role, to stimulate the stability of conjugal union? ".

"With the Synod Fathers I took into account the situation of the families who live the experience to have within them the homosexual person , experience not easy either for the parents or for their children. Therefore we would like to first repeat that every person, regardless of their sexual orientation, must be respected in their dignity and welcomed with respect, with care to avoid any sign of unjust discrimination, especially all forms of aggression and violence. In regards of the families it is rather to ensure a respectful accompaniment , so that those who express homosexual orientation can have the help needed to fully understand and carry out the will of God in their lives. During the debate on the dignity and mission of the family, the Synod Fathers noted that "some projects equivalent to marriage to unions between homosexual persons, there is no foundation whatsoever to assimilate or establish analogies, even remotely homosexual unions God's plan for marriage and the family " ; and it is unacceptable "that the local Churches subjected to pressure in this matter and that international bodies to condition financial aid to poor countries to the introduction of laws that establish the" marriage "between same-sex ' '

WOMB FOR RENT. 
"The shameful violence that sometimes is used against women, family abuse and various forms of slavery that do not constitute a masculine strong showing but a coward degradation. Verbal violence, physical and sexual practicing against women in some married couples contradicts the very nature of the conjugal union. I think the serious genital mutilation of women in some cultures, but also the inequality of access to decent jobs and the places where decisions are made. The story follows in the footsteps of the excesses of the patriarchal cultures where women were considered second-class, but also include the practice of ' "surrogate" or the exploitation and commodification of the female body in today's media culture.

GENDER IDEOLOGY. 
"Another challenge, there were various forms of ideology, generically called gender, which denies the difference and the natural reciprocity of man and woman. It envisages a society without gender differences, and empties the anthropological foundation of the family. This ideology leads educational projects and legislative guidelines that promote personal identity and emotional intimacy radically released from the biological differences between male and female. Human identity is issued to an option individualistic, also changes over time. E 'disturbing that some ideologies of this kind, purporting to answer certain aspirations sometimes understandable, seeking to establish itself as a single thought which also determines the education of children. You should not ignore that biological sex (sex) and social-cultural role of sex (gender), can be distinguished but not separated . One thing is to understand human frailty or the complexity of life, another thing is to accept ideologies that claim to be divided into two inseparable aspects of reality. We do not fall into sin of claiming to replace us to the Creator. We are creatures, we are not omnipotent. The created before us and be received as a gift. At the same time, we are called to care for our humanity, and this means first to accept and respect it as it was created. "

ABORTION AND OBJECTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS. 
"In this context, I can not say that, if the family is the sanctuary of life, the place where life is created and edited, is a piercing contradiction that becomes the place where life is denied and destroyed. It is so great the value of a human life, and that's inalienable right to life of the innocent baby growing in its mother's womb, that in no way can be presented as a right over her own body the ability to make decisions against such a life, which is an end in itself and that can never be subject to domination by another human being. The family protects life at every stage and even to its setting. So to those working in healthcare facilities, it recalls the moral obligation of conscientious objection . Similarly, the Church not only feels the urgency to assert the right to natural death, avoiding the aggressive treatment and euthanasia, "but" firmly rejects the death penalty. "

"Every child is always in the heart of God, and at the moment he is conceived marks the eternal dream of the Creator. We think that is what the embryo from the moment it is conceived! You have to look at him with the same look of love of the Father who sees beyond appearances. "

ADOPTIONS HOMOSEXUAL. 
"Every child has the right to receive the love of a mother and father, both necessary for its maturation integrated and harmonious. Both contribute, each in a different way, to the growth of a child. Respect the dignity of a child means to assert its needs and its natural right to have a mother and a father. It is not just the love of the father and mother taken separately, but also love each other, perceived as a source of their existence, like the nest that welcomes and as the foundation of the family. Otherwise, the child seems to boil down to a whimsical possession. Both man and woman, father and mother, are cooperating with the love of God the Creator and almost its interpreters. They show their children the mother's face and the fatherly face of the Lord. Furthermore, they teach together the value of reciprocity, the encounter between different, where each contributes its own identity and also knows how to receive the other. If for some unavoidable reason is missing one of the two, it is important to look for some way to make up, to facilitate the proper maturation of the child. A father with a clear and happy male identity, which in turn join in its tract to his wife the affection and the welcome is as necessary as the mother's care. There are flexible roles and tasks, which adapted to the specific circumstances of each family, but the presence of clear and well-defined two figures, male and female , creates the most suitable medium for the maturation of the child. "

MATERNITY 'AND FEMINISM. 
"Today we recognize as fully legitimate, and even desirable, that women want to study, work, develop their skills and have personal goals. At the same time we can not ignore the need that children have the maternal presence , especially in the first months of life. The reality is that the woman stands before man as a mother, the subject of the new human life that it is designed and developed, and it is growing in the world. The decrease of the maternal presence with its feminine qualities constitutes a serious risk to our land. I appreciate feminism when it does not pretend uniformity nor the denial of motherhood . Because the size of the woman involves all the rights that derive from its inalienable human dignity, but also by her feminine genius, indispensable to society. Its capabilities specific to women - especially motherhood - also give the duties, because his being a woman also carries a special mission on this earth, that society must protect and preserve for the good of all. "

CIVIL WEDDINGS AND DIVORCED REMARRIED. 
"The look of Christ, whose light illuminates every man inspires the Church's pastoral care for the faithful who simply live together or who got married only civil or are divorced and remarried. The Church turns with love to those who participate in its life so flawed : invoking with them the grace of conversion, he encourages them to do good, to take care with love for each other and get to serve the community in where they live and work. While the doctrine is clearly expressed, they are to be avoided judgments that do not take into account the c omplessità of different situations , and you must be attentive to the way in which people live and suffer because of their condition. "

"The Fathers have indicated that a particular discernment is essential to accompany pastorally separated, divorced, the abandoned. It should be welcomed and appreciated especially the suffering of those who have suffered unjustly separation, divorce or abandonment, or have been forced by the spouse abuse to break the cohabitation. Forgiveness for the injustice is not easy, but it is a journey that the grace makes possible. At the same time, people divorced but not remarried who are often witnesses of marital fidelity, must be encouraged to find in the Eucharist the food that sustains them in their state. The local communities and the Pastors must assist them with care, especially when there are children or bad is their situation of poverty. For divorced living a new union , it is important to feel that they are part of the Church, which "are not excommunicated" and are not treated as such, because they always form the ecclesial communion. These situations call for careful discernment and a great respect accompaniment, avoiding any language and attitude that makes them feel discriminated against and promoting their participation in community life. Caring for them is not for the Christian community a weakening of his faith and his testimony about the indissolubility of marriage, on the contrary it expresses precisely this cure his charity. "

"The divorced and living a new union, for example, may find themselves in very different situations, which should not be cataloged or locked into too rigid statements leaving no room for an adequate discernment personal and pastoral. One thing is a second consolidated union over time, with new children, with proven loyalty, selfless dedication, Christian commitment, knowledge of the irregularity of their situation and very difficult to go back without feeling in conscience that it would fall into new faults. The Church recognizes situations where "man and woman, for serious reasons - such as, for example, the education of children - can not meet the requirement of separation." There is also the case of those who have made great efforts to save their first marriage and have undergone an unjust abandonment , or to "those who have contracted a second union for the sake of their children, and are sometimes subjectively certain in conscience that the previous and irreparably destroyed marriage had never been valid. " Another thing however is a new union that comes from a recent divorce, with all the consequences of suffering and confusion that affect children and families, or the situation of someone who repeatedly has failed in his family commitments. It must be clear that this is not ideal that the Gospel proposes for marriage and family. The Synod Fathers stated that the discernment of Pastors must be "adequate separation" , with a look that he may discern situations well. "

"If we take into account dell'innumerevole variety of practical situations, such as those we have mentioned above, it is understandable that you would not expect from this Synod Exhortation or a new general rules of canon type, applicable to all cases. E 'can only be a new encouragement to a staff responsible for discernment and pastoral care of special cases, which should be recognized that, since the degree of responsibility is not the same in all cases, the consequences or effects of a standard does not necessarily always have to be the themselves. Not even regarding the sacramental discipline, since the discernment can recognize that in a particular situation there is no gross negligence. Priests have the task of accompanying the persons concerned on the path of discernment according to the teaching of the Church and the Bishop guidelines. In this process it will be useful to make an examination of conscience, through moments of reflection and repentance . The divorced and remarried should ask themselves how they acted towards their children when the conjugal union reached a crisis; Though there have been attempts at reconciliation; how is the situation of the partners abandoned; What consequences does the new relationship on the rest of the family and the community of the faithful; it offers as an example to young people who are preparing for marriage. A sincere reflection can strengthen trust in the mercy of God that is not denied to anyone. These attitudes are fundamental to avoid the serious risk of wrong messages, such as the idea that a priest can grant quick "exceptions" , or that there are people who can get sacramental privileges in exchange for favors. It means pausing to consider just whether the act of a person to respond or not to a law or a general standard, because this is not enough to discern and to ensure full fidelity to God in the concrete existence of a human being. Therefore, a pastor can not feel satisfied only by applying moral laws to those who live in "irregular situations", as if they were stones that are launched against the people's lives. Because of the conditioning or mitigating factors, it is possible that, within an objective situation of sin - that is not subjectively guilty or that it is not so full - you can live in the grace of God, we can love, and you can also grow in the life of grace and charity, receiving for this purpose the help of the Church. In some cases, it might also be the help of the sacraments . Discernment must help find possible ways of response to God and growth through the limits. Believing that everything is black or white, sometimes we close the way of grace and of growth and discourage sanctification paths that give glory to God. "

"I welcome the thoughts of many Synod Fathers, who wanted to say that the baptized who are divorced and remarried civilly to be more integrated in Christian communities in various ways, avoiding every occasion of scandal. They not only should not feel excommunicated, but they can live and mature as living members of the Church, feeling like a mother who welcomes them forever, she takes care of them with affection and encourages them in the path of life and the gospel. This integration is also necessary for the care and Christian education of their children, who must be considered the most important. "

SEX EDUCATION . 
The Second Vatican Council envisaged the need for "a positive and prudent sex education " that would reach children and adolescents "as it grows their age" and "taking account of advances in psychology, pedagogy and didactics". It's hard to think of sex education at a time when we tend to trivialize and impoverish sexuality. You could understand it only as part of an education in love, mutual self-giving. Thus the language of sexuality is not seen sadly depleted, but enlightened. Sex education offers information, but without forgetting that children and young people have not reached full maturity. The information must arrive at the appropriate time and in a manner appropriate to the stage living. No need to fill data without the development of a critical sense ahead of a proposed invasion front of pornography out of control and overload of stimuli that can maim sexuality. Young people must be able to realize that they are bombarded with messages that do not seek their good and their maturity. When one attempts to give everything at once it is possible that nothing will gifts ".

LIVING TOGETHER . 
"The choice of civil marriage or, in several cases, the mere coexistence, very often not motivated by prejudice or resistance against sacramental union, but by cultural situations or contingent. In these situations could be given those signs of love that somehow reflect the love of God. We know that is growing the number of those who, after living together for a long time, calling for the celebration of marriage in church. The mere coexistence is often chosen because of the general mentality contrary to the institutions and definitive commitments, but also to wait for an existential security (labor and fixed salary). In other countries, finally, de facto unions are very numerous, not only for the rejection of family values and marriage, but also for the fact that getting married is perceived as a luxury, and social conditions, so that the material poverty He pushes to live de facto unions. However, all of these situations must be addressed in a constructive manner, trying to turn them into opportunities journey towards the fullness of marriage and the family in the light of the Gospel. It is to welcome them and accompany them with patience and sensitivity. "