The testimony of John and Claire Grabowski, from the U.S., members of the Pontifical Council for the Family
A big change is occurring in terms of the family—and most importantly, in family law—in the US. «In 11 States, same-sex marriages have been legalized, and in many others the process has been started. Everything is happening very quickly», say the spouses John and Claire Grabowski. «Divorce is increasing and people don’t want to assume the responsibilities of marriage. Especially young people are influenced by the mass media. Yet, formation in the family counts a lot. At home, we learn the values of the family, and religious education is very important». Catholics are credible when defending the sacrament of marriage—says John Gabrowski—only if they manifest their loyalty and consistency in their lives. «Those who speak out against divorce and then get separated can’t be credible Catholics. There are no convincing arguments against divorce, there is only the example».
Young Americans still feel the desire for a unique love in their lives, as many popular songs show. «The mentality in society has changed: people live under the banner of production and profit, and there is too much individualism. Consequently, marriage is decreasing and the number of families with only one child is growing. The reason is primarily economic, and hence, culture. Once, children were considered a treasure, today they are often treated as an expense. Christian families are called to transmit the beauty of the family and children as a gift from God, in a non-economic conception of an exchange that is mutually enriching. We Catholics must witness to the beauty of gratuity». This, however, is not an easy task. «There is a need to create networks among families and also for spiritual and pastoral guidance that can help us to witness and understand better the evangelical spirituality of family and of parenting», continues John. The Pontifical Council for the Family offers a service to family ministry, however,—according to the Gabrowski couple—«it could do more, by working more intensively with local Bishops’ Conferences, especially with the Commissions for the Family and Life, as well as with pastoral agents, by providing information, guidelines, documents, and organizing joint programs for Family Ministry». «This is the third time we are participating in the Plenary Assembly of the Dicastery, and for us it is always a joy, a great enrichment to be able to speak with couples from other countries. And the final document of the acts is, each time, a great resource, in which we also have both the pleasure and the honor to make our small contribution», concludes Claire.