Cardinal Baldisseri opens the Conference of the family and life movements: "Deepening the Family‘s Mission"
"Deepen the family‘s vocation and mission, while taking into account the situations of the faithful who, although living irregular marital situations, wish to participate more fully in the life of the Church and are willing to commit themselves seriously on a progressive path." This is the invitation launched by the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, in his introduction to the International Conference of family and life movements, groups and associations that begins today and will end on Saturday, at the Church Palace in Rome.
"It is necessary—he said—that no one avoid the task of finding and suggesting possible solutions to the sensitive issues addressed by the Synod Fathers." "Strengthened by the help that comes from grace and the participation in the life of the family of Nazareth, families who follow the path indicated by Christ also feel responsible for the lives of those who do not enjoy the fullness of Christian marriage."
The Secretary noted that the Synod Fathers have repeatedly stressed that "Catholic families, by virtue of the grace of the sacrament of marriage, are called personally to be active subjects of family ministry." This task, he continued, "is well served by families in the ecclesial movements. In today‘s family ministry, the Church asks us to witness to the beauty and attractive appeal of Christian marriage, and to explore the results of the Extraordinary Synod that the Fathers have presented, thus making our contribution in the search for pastoral courageous choices, in particular—he concluded—in caring for wounded families."