"As you know, at this time the whole Church is engaged in a process of reflection on the family, its beauty, its value, and the challenges it is facing in our time. I also encourage you, as pastors, to make your contribution to this great work of discernment, and especially to conduct your family ministry in such a way that couples are not ‘conformed to this world,’ but ‘transformed by the renewal of their minds’ (cf. Rom. 12:2). In fact, even your country, which has now entered fully into the European Union, is exposed to the influence of ideologies that seek to introduce into families destabilizing elements that derive from a misconception of personal freedom. The age-old Lithuanian tradition will help you to address these challenges, in accordance with reason and in accordance with the faith."
On the same day, the group of six Lithuanian bishops visited our Council for the Family. During this family-like encounter, marked by openness to mutual listening, it was suggested that various themes of family ministry be bound together (initiation, catechesis, sacraments, etc.) within the life of the community. Thus this ministry should be entirely inspired by the family and become capable of leading families to form a warm, friendly community, where each person has his/her place and role. The graveness of the situation, caused by spreading individualism and relativism, severely affects the sacrament of marriage.
On the positive side, the Lithuanian bishops spoke about several significant experiences: centers for listening and support to life, widespread marriage preparation, and the presence of many ecclesial and social family associations. Among the many initiatives for engaged couples and young couples, it should be noted that the Diocese of Kaunas, which for several years now has organized the celebration of Valentine's Day for engaged couples, has seen the participation grow to the extent—to over 16,000 participants—that it is necessary to hold the festival in the city’s stadium; this is the result of the testimony of a great basketball champion. Along the same line, showing the beauty of the family at meetings, festivals and gatherings has proven to be more effective than the efforts to put up opposition against secularization’s trends and drifts. The language of good experiences is accepted and understood by non-believers.
In response to some specific questions, Msgr. Jean Laffitte, Secretary of our Council, spoke on the theme of the theology of the body, the core of St. John Paul II’s teaching, which characterized his anthropological thought and has, among other things, led to the foundation of the Institute of Marriage and Family, now present in many countries. Today, the Institute also counts some brilliant Lithuanians among its graduates.
