Marriage preparation, wounded families, the divorced who have remarried, and guidelines for homosexuals were the central themes focused on by Víctor and Stella Dominguez, of Proyecto Esperanza (Paraguay), in their explanation of the Part Three of the Lineamenta—dedicated to the pastoral perspectives—, at the International Symposium of family and life movements, groups and associations.
Proclaiming the Gospel of the family today requires the development of "body to body" pastoral support for families: for this pastoral ministry, the presence in the parish of spouses who are experts is very important, they explained, because "they can offer their readiness to help younger couples, with the possible support of associations, church movements and new communities."
As for the divorced and remarried faithful, "we believe that the Church's pastoral love for them should be felt and seen, not only in announcements and speeches, but in practice. It is not enough to know that the Church loves them. They need to feel this. The main objective of this ministry will be welcoming the divorced and remarried persons, accompanying them in their life in Christ, making them feel an important part of the Church, and showing them that they are children of God."
Finally, on the subject of homosexual persons, the hope is expressed that "the bishops will seek support with the means at their disposal for the development of specialized forms of pastoral care for homosexual persons, with the contribution of psychology, sociology and medicine. It should be clear that respectfully accepting and welcoming people with a homosexual orientation is one thing, and promoting homosexuality as a natural situation, including homosexual unions, is quite another."
Read the entire intervention
