The English and Welsh Bishops tell us that the Vatican has published Pope Francis’ eagerly-awaited Apostolic Exhortation on the family, drawing together almost three years of consultations with Catholics in countries around the world. The lengthy document, entitled ‘Amoris Laetitia’, or The Joy of Love, affirms the Church’s teaching that stable families are the building blocks of a healthy society and a place where children learn to love, respect and interact with others.

At the same time, the text warns against idealising the many challenges facing family life, urging Catholics to care for, rather than condemning, all those whose lives do not reflect the teaching of the Church. In particular the document focuses on the need for “personal and pastoral discernment” for individuals, recognising that “neither the Synod, nor this Exhortation could be expected to provide a new set of general rules, canonical in nature and applicable to all cases”.

The website of the Bishops of England and Wales has a whole section dedicated to the document. You can download the full text of Amoris Laetitia, and the official summary of the document, but there are also background info such as a video of Bishop Peter Doyle, who attended the Synods, and a simple Q&A document from the Holy See, to help handling some of the questions that we and others might be asking.

www.catholic-ew.org.uk/Home/Featured/Amoris-Laetitia-The-Joy-of-Love

For myself, it is the tone of this document which is refreshing. Pope Francis is not afraid to wade into the realities of life today, or to try to guide us through the classic problem of how to be true to Christian teaching while also being true to the value of every person and his or her journey. Chapter 8 while not easy reading, should be compulsory for all clergy, counsellors and anyone trying to find a way through life – their own or others.

Fr Matthew