Recently, Pope Benedict XVI spoke to a group of judges, officials, lawyers and collaborators of the Roman Rota, the Church's central appellate court at the Vatican. During the address, Pope Benedict pointed to the fact that relativism is eroding the concept of marriage even in the minds of Catholics. He expressed concern about the use of annulments as a means of regulating the breaking up of marriages that, in truth, were authentic. He cautioned that marriage risks losing its "existential relevance in a cultural context marked by relativism and juridical positivism, which consider marriage as a mere social formalization of emotional bonds." He went on to say that "not only does it become contingent, as human sentiments can be, but is presented as a legal superstructure that human will might manipulate according to its pleasure, even depriving it of its heterosexual character".
Clearly the Pope's concerns are being made manifest in our society today. Let us pray that more will listen to God's call to faithful and loving marriages. And may those marriages be open to life and to the raising of children grounded in the Faith.
In Christ,
Joe
Joe, the vocation of marriage is indeed in as much need of strengthening as the vocations to the priesthood. My priest has said that vocations to marriage and priesthood are often strong or weak together.
I just finished listening to Christopher West's 10CD set Naked Without Shame (A Crash course in Theology of the Body) (for the low low price of $5 in Canada) and it really helped me appreciate the importance of marriage. I highly recommend this set for everyone, not just Catholics, not just married people.
Jay, would you consider linking to this or Christopher West's home page?
Burnt Marshwiggle,
We most certain will consider linking to Christopher West's webpage. It may even be worth writing an article about him. He is a fascinating individual. I have heard him speak in person and it was incredible. Talk about someone who has a firm grasp on what JPII envisioned for the human person, marriage, the priesthood, etc.
In Christ,
Joe