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Catechetical content with our youth must clearly
expound the teaching of the Church with marriage and its correct preparation
and celebration emphasizing that mere civil marriage as well as contrary
definitions of marriage are against fundamental teaching and church
practice. The word and witness of faithful married couples must be brought
to light in our communities as a buttress to official teaching at the lips
of priests and religious and lay ministers, the latter who are often in the
lead with this catechesis.
In all this, teaching and pastoral care must be
sensitive and welcoming, even of those who bring a contrary opinion and
lifestyle. The Christian community must always be inviting while encouraging
people with the new idea of the Gospel and the enlightenment of Catholic
teaching and experience over the centuries.
The evangelical moment must necessarily deal
honestly with the realities of peoples' lives: the press of sexual freedom,
private choice, the obsession with family size, divorce rates, roles of
husband and wife, economic realities, cohabitation, none of which are easy
topics to frame in Catholic vocabulary. We must be clear about what the
Church teaches while encouraging others to more courageous discipleship.
There are simply certain things that Christians do not subscribe to if they
call themselves Christians. Options with lifestyle are limited and the few
mandates there are coming from the course of Revelation are few in number
but firm in their vision.
Christian marriage - sacramental marriage -- is
a source of grace for a couple, a unique way that husband and wife can save
each other.
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