The wide-ranging papal document on the Catholic Church and modern-day families that the Vatican released on Friday, April 8, was expected to be the culmination of a two-year gantlet of unusually frank discussions — a chance for Pope Francis to finally settle the fierce debates, and even dark warnings of schism, that his effort to open dialogue on contentious topics had unleashed.
Easter celebrations at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher are impressive and magnificent indeed. I returned this year to Jerusalem to perform the feast rituals after being away for 20 years, so I participated in the Easter eve prayers with the parishioners of the Franciscan Church of the Savior whose parish priest is Jordanian priest Firas Hijazin. On Easter Sunday, I prayed with the other believers at the same church, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, as Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal celebrated Mass. This natural “pride”, that overwhelmed me, was tarnished with several thoughts.
Precisely because it is not concerned with defending the “principle” of the family, the Pope’s Exhortation puts family life across as a “great adventure”, like a gamble that offers no certainties. A vertiginous journey in which “eternal” faithfulness is entrusted to grace.
The difficulties and challenges but also the positive contribution of conjugal love. Pope Francis’ post-Synodal Exhortation is the “charter” for the coming decades. From the importance of sexuality (“a marvellous gift” from God) to two chapters laying out the fundamentals of love between spouses. Family is “a good which society cannot do without”. The document also offers advice on educating children
Father Rifat Bader is the director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media in Jordan and the pastor of the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Naour. The Catholic Church in Jordan is an integral part of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, together with that of Israel, Palestine and Cyprus. In this interview, Fr. Bader speaks to us about the Catholic Church’s commitment to supporting many migrants who are fleeing Syria and Iraq.
On Friday 15 April, the Bishop of Rome will fly to a location that has become emblematic of the refugee crisis. The ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, will be there to greet him.
On the feast of Divine Mercy instituted by John Paul II who was inspired by St. Faustina Kowalska, Francis called on faithful to go out and be bearers of unifying peace. In the Regina Coeli he prayed for Ukraine and announced a collection that is to be held in all Catholic Churches across Europe on 24 April, in support of the country.
From Molenbeek to Saint Denis, the peripheries of Europe’s capitals are associated with terrorism. But Francis warned that no form of intel is going to help us if we abandon a section of society. Degradation leaves the door open to manipulation by criminal organisations. Walls of selfishness must be broken down so relationships of mutual support and open communities can be built.
Pope Francis has strongly condemned those who make a profit from terrorism and war. Behind every act of violence lies one of the most thriving markets in the world, fuelled by states, criminal networks and poor checks. It is a global phenomenon; a look at Belgium, the no man’s land and the war in Syria.
Faithful Catholics in the British Isles feel a deep sense of gratitude to Mother Angelica for beaming EWTN into our homes. Desperate to receive good-quality Catholic catechesis, authentic Catholic devotions and reliable news about the Church, many of us purchased satellite dishes and receivers to watch EWTN from St. Clare Media (the EWTN Global Catholic Television and Radio charitable foundation for Great Britain). After a diet of secular programming from the BBC and mainstream media, watching Mother Angelica and EWTN was like finding an oasis in a very barren desert.
