"Balm of Mercy for the Family" is the title of the pastoral letter that the Bishop of Gozo, Mario Grech, published on the feast of Mary's Assumption. The document shows that the family, founded on marriage between man and woman, is still a highly estimated institution because of its benefits on the "human, spiritual and social" level, and hence "the desire to form a family remains strongly embedded in human nature." Now, this is a fact, despite the many difficult situations caused by separation, divorce, remarriage, and adulterous relationships "in contrast with the teaching of the Gospel."
Msgr. Grech speaks about a "cultural Tsunami," in reference to "the rapid cultural changes which are seriously questioning established convictions" about marriage and the family, whose values have been "reduced and weakened" by divorce legislation (introduced in Malta in 2011 by referendum), civil unions, the gender theory and assisted procreation. Moreover, the Bishop notes that often "the marriage crisis could induce a crisis of faith," because in those difficult moments "one could easily fall prey to the temptation of turning one's back to God."
With respect to next October's Ordinary General Synod, the Bishop assures that "there is no thought of the Church changing her doctrine regarding marriage and the family": "marriage is a sacrament"―he writes―and "the foundation of the family is marriage between man and woman who are bound together by love which is everlasting, faithful and open to life."
Addressing the issue of remarried divorcees, Msgr. Grech repeats the words of Pope Francis against a Church with "closed doors." Therefore―the Bishop stresses―"the Barque of Peter is the refuge for any type of sinner, because as long as there is life, there is also the hope of conversion." "In the Church―he insists―, there is a place for all who believe in God, because there is no one who is irretrievably lost or discarded." His hope is that at the coming Synod, the Church, "while remaining faithful to the Gospel of the Family and sustaining those families who are steady on their feet, seeks to be faithful to the Gospel of God's Mercy and to find the pathways which would enable those who, in spite of the fact that they did not succeed in their first marriage/relationship, and hope in God's mercy, to savor the delicacies of His love."
The Bishop of Malta recalls the Gospel story of the wedding at Cana, which transmits "a very positive message which is full of hope for those couples whose wine has run out": "Jesus opts to give the best wine to those who, because of some reason or other, think that all their jars have broken;" and what’s more, it is precisely over them that God pours "his love and his mercy."
For the entire letter, see
