Il 28 settembre viene resa nota una dichiarazione del presidente dei vescovi cattolici USA che presenta l'indagine condotta presso i vescovi e i responsa-bili delle organizzazioni cattoliche del paese sulla recezione della esortazione apostolica Amoris laetitia a cui hanno risposto 59 diocesi e 18 organizzazioni del paese (http://www.usccb.org/).
Report on reception and implementation
of
Amoris laetitia in the United States
September 2016
Introduction
At the request of His Eminence Lorenzo Cardinal Baldisseri, General Secretary of the
Office of the Synod of Bishops, a survey was conducted of bishops and leaders of
national Catholic organizations in the United States of America in order to determine
how our Holy Father Pope Francis’ Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Amoris laetitia
is being received and implemented throughout the country. By July-August 2016,
responses were received from fifty-nine dioceses across the United States, as well as from
eighteen national organizations.
The results of the survey are summarized below and
indicate significant energy and interest in the United States in advancing marriage and
family life ministry in light of the Holy Father’s rich, pastoral encouragement in Amoris
Laetitia.
As a preface to the survey results below, it should be noted that the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has engaged in a proactive reception of
Amoris laetitia since the occasion of its release. A special media event was held on the
day of the release, including the participation of the USCCB President as well as the
Chairman of the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth and a lay expert.
Various social media promotion accompanied and followed the release, including a 40-
day-long promotion of chapter four, inviting married couples to reflect upon and live
Pope Francis’ encouraging and challenging words. Amoris laetitia continues to be
promoted and studied in many ways, including on the following USCCB websites:
www.usccb.org, www.foryourmarriage.org, and www.marriageuniqueforareason.org.
For
the long-term implementation, the bishops of the United States will be voting in
November 2016 to approve the next USCCB strategic plan for 2017-2020, which
includes the development of a new pastoral plan for marriage and family life ministry and
advocacy. The development of this pastoral plan is anticipated to be a key way to assist in
advancing the implementation of Amoris laetitia throughout the United States.
Reception
Responses to the survey indicated excitement about Amoris laetitia and gratitude for its
hopeful, positive tone about marriage. Many noted that the exhortation had been well
received by Catholics in the United States and that the emphasis on accompanying
marriages and families was particularly appreciated. Responses also affirmed the pastoral
nature of Amoris laetitia, its broad scope and its positive tone.
It was noted that media
reports and commentaries have tended at times to present a myopic view of Amoris laetitia, with interest in only a few topics out of a broad range covered in the exhortation,
2
and that this has sometimes presented a challenge to the proper reception of the
document.
A number of bishops and national Catholic leaders said that receiving Amoris laetitia has
inspired further attention to how Catholics in irregular marital situations can be
welcomed, accompanied and integrated into the Church.
Others reported that the
exhortation has sparked discussion about how marriage preparation and marriage
ministry ought to be renewed and strengthened in light of the exhortation, for example by
using mentor couples and providing ongoing support for couples in their early years and
beyond.
The reception of Amoris laetitia has also stimulated discussion about what new forms of
missionary activity can be explored and how clergy and other leaders can best respond to
the needs of families today and accompany families, particularly those in serious
difficulties. Bishops reported that their priests desire to educate their parishioners about Amoris laetitia.
Chapter six in particular was highlighted as providing helpful guidance
and direction for those who minister to marriages and families.
Implementation
The bishops of the United States and national Catholic leaders indicated a number of
ways in which (arch)dioceses and Catholic organizations are currently implementing or
planning to implement the rich teaching found in Amoris laetitia.
Slow and careful implementation
Several bishops spoke of forming planning committees to study Amoris laetitia, ensuring
that the Holy Father’s guidance would be carefully and properly implemented.
Such
planning committees typically including both clergy and lay members, as well as those
engaged in ministry to married couples and families.
Communicating with the Catholic faithful
A number of respondents shared ways in which their diocese or organization was
communicating the message of Amoris laetitia with the Catholic faithful. These included
articles and bishops’ columns about Amoris laetitia in the diocesan newspaper or
magazine, digital communications such as placing the document or a summary on the
diocesan website, social media outreach, bulletin inserts with highlights from the
exhortation, and Catholic radio.
Several national organizations are planning an extended,
four-part webinar with presentations about Amoris laetitia, including by two bishops.
Other notable communication methods include videos of bishops and an online “toolkit”
and resource guide with supplementary material for the faithful and ministry leaders.
Education and formation of clergy
Another theme was direct communication with and formation of pastors, priests, deacons
and religious regarding Amoris laetitia. Many dioceses have provided or are planning to
provide opportunities for clergy to study the document, such as at seminars, workshops
on various topics raised, and study days. Some bishops have already provided their
3
priests with pastoral guidance on Amoris laetitia and how it should be implemented.
Many respondents indicated that the document would be given attention at deanery
meetings or priest convocations in the near future. Present but less often mentioned was
encouragement to preach on Amoris laetitia and inclusion of its themes in seminary
education.
Implementation by diocesan offices
A common theme in responses was the participation of various diocesan offices in
implementing Amoris laetitia.
Most often mentioned was the diocesan marriage and
family life office, which in various dioceses is engaged in studying Amoris laetitia and
recommending relevant changes to marriage and family life ministry. Other tasks of
family life offices include providing training for marriage ministry volunteers and
collaborating both with family life offices in other dioceses and with other diocesan
offices.
The Tribunal was also often mentioned as a key department in the
implementation of Amoris laetitia, particularly in providing education on the declaration
of nullity process and fully implementing Pope Francis’ changes to that process, such as
eliminating fees and making the process more accessible. Other diocesan offices engaged
in implementing the document are adult faith formation offices, which are providing
educational opportunities for religious education teachers and the general Catholic public.
Finally, a number of bishops reported proactive education of their diocesan staff on the
teaching of Amoris laetitia and re-evaluating or changing diocesan office structures in
response to Pope Francis’s emphasis on ministry to families, such as hiring full-time staff
dedicated to pastoral care of marriages and families.
Special events
Many bishops and leaders listed special events as ways in which Amoris laetitia is being
implemented in their dioceses. Common among these were parish events that focus on or
integrate Amoris laetitia, such as guided discussions on the document, marriage
enrichment events, and lectures. Other bishops reported giving presentations on Amoris
Laetitia to various audiences. More major events include diocesan-wide conferences
about the document and diocesan synod processes with a partial or total focus on Amoris laetitia.
Reevaluation and strengthening of marriage-related ministries
A number of responses indicated ways in which marriage-related ministries would be
impacted by Amoris laetitia. Preeminent in this category was marriage preparation,
which a large number of respondents indicated would receive a reevaluation to ensure
that the themes of Amoris laetitia are properly integrated.
Several bishops highlighted
new marriage preparation programs they will now use, as well as increased training for
mentor couples and marriage preparation leaders. Many respondents also spoke of
reevaluating marriage enrichment offerings to integrate the teachings of Amoris laetitia,
particularly chapter four.
Emphasis was also given to enhancing accompaniment of newly
married couples, couples experiencing difficulty in their relationships, and those who
have separated or civilly divorced. Responses indicated increased and enhanced training
for those who minister in these areas, as well as increased educational resources. Several
bishops shared an increased attention to couples in remarriages, including pastoral care
4
for those who are seeking a declaration of nullity for their previous union.
Other ministry
fields that were mentioned in responses were Natural Family Planning and chastity,
same-sex attraction and those in same-sex relationships, youth ministry, the elderly,
Hispanics and Latinos, parents, and families with children who have special needs. All of
these areas were highlighted as needing renewed attention based on Pope Francis’
guidance in Amoris laetitia.
Renewed models of ministry
A theme in many responses was that Amoris Laetitia gives a renewed approach to caring
for marriages and families. Several spoke of the new “tone” provided by Pope Francis
and the emphasis on accompaniment, mercy, highlighting the strengths of the family and
the joy of love, and the importance of allowing Amoris laetitia to inform all ministries.
Others listed ways in which the local diocese was making structural and personnel
changes to give concrete support to marriage and family life ministry.
Other Suggested Resources
In addition to the implementation plans already underway or envisioned, the bishops and
national leaders identified some areas for which additional resources—some perhaps
from the bishops’ Conference—could be helpful.
These include a Q&A brochure for all
the faithful and the identification of best practices based on Amoris Laetitia for a variety
of ministry areas: most particularly in marriage preparation (including remote and
proximate), but also in the pastoral care of newlywed couples, parents, single parents,
families in crisis or split by divorce or separation, second marriages, blended families,
and persons who experience same-sex attraction.
In addition, resources were requested on
the topics of gender ideology, pornography, and convalidation.
Specifically for priests, it was noted that guidance on effective preaching on Amoris laetitia could be helpful, as well as advice on how confessors can assist persons in
irregular marital relationships.
A variety of resources was recommended to assist the Catholic faithful in receiving the
teaching of Amoris Laetitia and implementing it in their lives. Most often suggested was
a study or discussion guide on the document, suitable for parish use and utilizing
understandable language.
Other recommendations include short “snippets” of the
exhortation for easy dissemination, a topical index of the document, articles for diocesan
newspapers or magazines, bulletin inserts, videos about Amoris Laetitia, and social media
content and graphics that could be used by various groups. It was noted that materials are
needed in Spanish and other languages.
In-person resources that were recommended include retreats for married couples, talks or
seminars on topics such as human sexuality and moral theology. In terms of further study,
a few respondents asked for reports on how others are receiving Amoris Laetitia in the
United States and worldwide.
5
Respondents indicated that further resources on the application of some aspects of Amoris laetitia, such as those treating the internal forum and reception of the sacraments with
regard to persons in irregular marital situations, would be helpful.
The same was
mentioned about some of the key terms and concepts such as discernment, integration,
gradualness, conscience, and mercy.
The interest in additional resources shows the high level of eagerness toward charting a
faithful and effective implementation of the Holy Father’s exhortation across the United
States.
Lastly, as a response to the survey, three dioceses shared examples of resources that have
been developed for advancing the reception and implementation of Amoris laetitia.
These resources are available at http://adw.org/amorislaetitia-toolkit/,
http://archphila.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/AOP_AL-guidelines.pdf, and
http://www.la-archdiocese.org/about/amoris-laetitia/Documents/AE_studyguide.pdf.
*Presidente della Conferenza dei vescovi cattolici degli Stati Uniti
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