“Take a deeper look at Pope Francis’ statement on marriage and the family” – America Magazine

“Amoris Laetitia” is above all a pastoral document, which the pope intends to serve as “an aid to reflection, dialogue and pastoral practice, and as a help and encouragement to families in their daily commitments and challenges.” We hope this round up of in-depth coverage and expert analysis will serve to deepen your own reflection and open a fruitful dialogue about the joys and trials of families today.

Pope Francis’ Exhortation on the Family an ‘Organic Development of Doctrine’ By Gerard O’Connell

Reactions Roll In to Apostolic Exhortation from Pope Francis By Kevin Clarke

Top Ten Takeaways from ‘Amoris Laetitia’ By James Martin, S.J.

Francis, Family and Feminism: Changing the conversation around complementarity By Megan K. McCabe

In Good Conscience: What ‘Amoris Laetitia’ can teach us about responsible decision making By James T. Bretzke

Look to the Margins: Violence against women as a threat to the family By Meghan Clark

Discernment: A Key to Understanding ‘Amoris Laetitia’ By James Martin, S.J.

A Joyful Vision of Christian Marriage By Robert P. Imbelli

The Listening Pope: Surprising sources of “Amoris Laetitia” By Kevin Ahern

A Pastor to His People: For Francis, the ‘good of souls’ comes first. By Drew Christiansen, S.J.

Pope Francis Opens Doors to the Integration into Church Life of Catholics in Irregular Situations By Gerard O’Connell

Podcast: What’s Conscience Got to Do With It? By The Editors

Source: America Magazine

Top ten takeaways from “Amoris Laetitia” 

At America magazine, James Martin S.J. lists “top 10 takeaways” from Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, “Amoris Laetitia” (The Joy of Love):

Pope Francis’s groundbreaking new document “Amoris Laetitia” (“The Joy of Love”) asks the church to meet people where they are, to consider the complexities of people’s lives and to respect people’s consciences when it comes to moral decisions. The apostolic exhortation is mainly a document that reflects on family life and encourages families. But it is also the pope’s reminder that the church should avoid simply judging people and imposing rules on them without considering their struggles.

Using insights from the Synod of Bishops on the Family and from bishops’ conferences from around the world, Pope Francis affirms church teaching on family life and marriage, but strongly emphasizes the role of personal conscience and pastoral discernment. He urges the church to appreciate the context of people’s lives when helping them make good decisions.  The goal is to help families—in fact, everyone—experience God’s love and know that they are welcome members of the church. All this may require what the pope calls “new pastoral methods” (199).

 

Source: America Magazine

Martin continues, by listing and expanding on the following “top 10 takeaways”:

The church needs to understand families and individuals in all their complexity.

The role of conscience is paramount in moral decision making.

Divorced and remarried Catholics need to be more fully integrated into the church.

All members of the family need to be encouraged to live good Christian lives.

What might work in one place may not work in another.

Traditional teachings on marriage are affirmed, but the church should not burden people with unrealistic expectations.

Children must be educated in sex and sexuality.

Gay men and women should be respected.

All are welcome.