Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Catholic News

Home

Home
Catholic
Religion News
Marriage doesn’t take away your freedom – quite the opposite, Pope says

Marriage doesn’t take away your freedom – quite the opposite, Pope says

Last updated on: October 21, 2015 at 2:34 pm by CNA Daily News

Marriage doesn’t take away your freedom – quite the opposite, Pope says 2015-10-21T14:34:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Vatican City, Oct 21, 2015 / 08:34 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis on Wednesday said that contrary to modern notions, fidelity in marriage does not rob us of personal freedom but instead is a fundamental attribute of all human relationships based on love.

“Freedom and fidelity are not opposed to each other,” the Pope said in his latest catechesis on the family, delivered during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square Oct 21.

The strength and beauty of love, including in the context of friendship, come from the fact that the persons involved are connected without loss of freedom, he said.

“Without freedom there is no friendship; without freedom, there is no love; without freedom, there is no marriage.”

Pope Francis observed that the sense of “honor” in being faithful appears to be undermined in modern times. He attributed this to the “misunderstood right to seek ones own satisfaction at all costs and in any relationship, which is exulted as a non-negotiable principle of freedom.”

Rather, he said, “Fidelity to promises is a true masterpiece of humanity! No loving relationship – no friendship, no form of love, no happiness in the common good – arrives at the height of our desire and hope” without “this miracle of the soul.”

The Pope also appealed for prayers for the bishops participating in the Synod on the Family, which is in its third and final week in the Vatican.

“May the Lord bless their work, conducted with faithful creativity,” with faith that the “Lord is faithful to his promises,” he said.

This year's Synod on the Family, which runs from Oct. 4-25, is the second and larger of two such gatherings to take place in the course of a year. Like its 2014 precursor, the focus of the 2015 Synod of Bishops will be the family, this time with the theme: “The vocation and mission of the family in the Church and the modern world.”

In his Oct. 21 address, Pope Francis recalled how last week's catechesis on the family centered on the importance of promises parents make to their children, whereas this week's reflection centers on man and woman's fidelity to each other.

The entire family is founded upon a promise, the Pope said. The fidelity between husband and wife brings with it the responsibility to love and educate children, to care for elderly parents, and to protect and care for the “weakest members of the family.”

“The marital promise broadens to share the joys and sufferings with all fathers, mothers, and children, with generous openness toward human coexistence and the common good.”

In contrast, the Pope said, “a family that is closed in on itself,” is a “contradiction” of that same promise.

Fidelity is a self-fulfilling promise, a faith which “wants to be truly shared, and a hope which wants to be nurtured together.”

Honor and fidelity “cannot be bought or sold,” he said.

“No other school can teach the school of love if the family cannot. No law can impose the beauty and heritage of this treasure of human dignity, if the personal connection between love and generation is not written on our flesh.”

Pope Francis appealed for fidelity in love to be seen as honorable in society once again.

“This principle of fidelity to the promise of love and generations is written in God's creation as a perennial blessing, which is entrusted to the world.”

The Pope reflected on the family in the context of Saint Paul's words on the union between Christ and his Church.

“Love for the human family, in good times and bad, is a point of honor for the Church!”

Vatican

Previous Post

October 21, 2015

Vatican calls rumors over Pope Francis' health false and irresponsible

Next Post

October 21, 2015 Synod finds strong support for Church teaching in communion debate

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which Christian holiday is celebrated on December 25th in most Western churches?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Advent Pentecost Christmas Epiphany