Pope John Paul I spoke to the Region VII bishops from the United States during their ad limina visit on September 21, 1978 about the Christian family. Here is an excerpt:
“Let us never grown tired of proclaiming the family as a community of love: conjugal love unites the couple and is procreative of new life; it mirrors the divine love, is communicated and in the words of “Gaudium et Spes”, is actually a sharing in the covenant of love of Christ and his Church. We were all given the great grace of being born into such a community of love; it will be easy for us to uphold its value.
” …. families can bring Christ’s Gospel to others. A vivid realization of the sharing of the laity — especially the family — in the salvific mission of the Church is one of the greatest legacies of the Second Vatican Council….
“It is up to us to keep this realization strong, by supporting and defending the family – every family. Our own ministry is vital: to preach the word of God and to celebrate Sacraments. It is from them that our people draw their strength and joy. Ours too is the role of encouraging families to fidelity to the law of God and the Church. We need never fear to proclaim all the exigencies of God’s word, for Christ is with us and says today as before: He who hears you hears me”. In particular, the indissolubility of Christian marriage is important; although it is a difficult part of our message, we must proclaim it faithfully as part of God’s word, part of the mystery of faith. At the same time we are close to our people in their problems and difficulties. They must always know we love them.” (Italics mine)
I find it of interest that the pope would choose this topic with which to address the American bishops back then. His words are certainly relevant to our situation today. Fidelity to the word of God and the teaching of the Church, all the while being sure that the faithful know that we love them and share in their struggles.
The family in our country needs our support and defense. Let us speak out boldly with love.
