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    Published: 2021-11-22
    Vol. 32 No. 2 (2021)

    The application of the indications of "Amoris Laetitia" on preparation for marriage – a legal and social dilemma. A brief outline of the problem in the context of current challenges the Church in Poland

    Emmanuela Elżbieta Sikorska
    Ius Matrimoniale
    Section: Rozprawy i artykuły
    https://doi.org/10.21697/im.2021.32.02.04

    Abstract

    The problem presented in the article is only an attempt to answer how much the voice of Pope Francis about the urgent need for a renewed pastoral care for marriage and the family finds application in the decisions and activities of pastors of souls and church communities. Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation on love in the family takes up the theme of marriage and the family. In the section “Guiding Couples in Their Preparation for Marriage” (AL 205-216), we have guidelines on how to help young people discover the value and richness of marriage.
    On November 26, 2019, the Polish Episcopal Conference published A general decree on canonical and pastoral talks with the engaged before contracting canonical marriage. The decree refers to formal and canonical requirements and does not regulate issues related to the preparation of premarital catecheses and pastoral care for marriage and family. It was indicated in the decree that in the field of pastoral preparation for marriage the principles – set out in The Directory for Pastoral Care of the Family in 2003 and in the document issued by the PEC in 2009: Serving the Truth about Marriage and the Family – are binding. The question arises: to what extent are pastoral guidelines sufficient? To confirm the legitimacy of the above dilemmas it is worth to mention: data published by the Institute of Church Statistics on the participation of the faithful in the sacramental life and the rising number of family counselling centres, data from catechetical departments and the results of research conducted by the Public Opinion Research Centre published in 2019 in the context of divorce mentality.
    The new challenges of the future in the context of mental stress caused by the global situation already now call for a revision of pastoral programmes in the field of marriage and family. The growing uncertainty in the world in the face of the pandemic and armed conflicts has a deep impact on interpersonal relationships. The main law principle is salus aminarum – the salvation of souls. Because of this principle the Legislator recommends to give help to the faithful who wish to contact marriage. The phenomenon of clericalism discussed today must not block the lay faithful from their participation in the priestly, prophetic and kingly office of Christ, since they are called to fulfill the mission that God has entrusted to the Church in the world.

    Keywords:

    indications of Amoris laetitia, preparation for marriage, marriage and the family

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    Citation rules

    Sikorska, E. E. (2021). The application of the indications of "Amoris Laetitia" on preparation for marriage – a legal and social dilemma. A brief outline of the problem in the context of current challenges the Church in Poland. Ius Matrimoniale, 32(2), 73–94. https://doi.org/10.21697/im.2021.32.02.04

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