A requirement of mercy in the pastoral care of families. Reflections around apostolic exhortation "Amoris laetitia"

Abstract

Apostolic exhortation Amoris laetitia was created as a fruit of two Synods on the family in 2014 and 2015. The document refers to the situation of marriages and families in the modern world. Pope Francis reminds us: “for all the many signs of crisis in the institution of marriage, the desire to marry and form a family remains vibrant, especially among young people, and this is an inspiration to the Church”. The context of the Jubilee Year of Mercy is important in it, because “it represents an invitation to Christian families to value the gifts of marriage and the family, and to encourage everyone to be a sign of mercy and closeness wherever family life meets some troubles. That is why Pope Francis first describes the signs of crisis and next presents some pastoral perspective, a pastoral plan for families and some more significant pastoral challenges. The Pope gives guidance on how today, in the spirit of mercy, to proclaim the Gospel of the family, how to develop the pastoral care of families. He emphasizes that Christian families “by the grace of the sacrament of matrimony, are the principal subjects of the family apostolate”. The key to understand the indications regarding the pastoral care of families was given by Francis himself when he says that the Church should be close to new generation of spouses. The closeness of the Church to those preparing to marriage and families, which is a sign of God’s mercy, finds in Francis’ language terms “companionship” and “discernment”.