In a recent interview with Alessandro Gisotti of Vatican News, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, offered a window onto the year 2018 for Pope Francis. The Vatican’s Secretary of State said that 2018 will be characterized ‘by the Church’s special attention on young people, that is, on their hopes, goals, and the challenges facing them’.
This focus on youth and family will be highlighted through this year’s World Meeting of Families in Dublin from 21-26 August, as well as through the Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome in October, whose focus will be on ‘Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment’.
Cardinal Parolin said an important, innovative aspect is ‘the Church’s new relationship with young people, expressed in a paradigm of responsibility, which excludes any type of paternalism.’
‘The Church and the Pope are asking young people… what contribution they can make to the Gospel and its proclamation, today!’ he said.
Turning to the World Meeting of Families and Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Amoris laetitia, Cardinal Parolin said the document ‘resulted from a new paradigm which Pope Francis is carrying forward with wisdom, prudence, and patience.’ Difficulties surrounding it, he said, ‘besides some aspects of content, are due to this change of attitude the Pope is asking of us.’
‘I believe Amoris laetitia – besides being the Church’s embrace of the family and its problems in today’s world, truly helping to incarnate the Gospel within the family, which is already a Gospel: the Gospel of the family – is at the same time a invitation for families to help by collaborating and contributing to the Church’s growth.’
The World Meeting of Families will take place from 21-26 August of this year, guided by the theme ‘The Gospel of the Family: Joy for the World’. Held every three years, this major international event brings together families from across the world to celebrate, pray and reflect upon the central importance of marriage and the family as the cornerstone of our lives, of society and of the Church. For more information see www.worldmeeting2018.ie.
(Source: Vatican News)
