The Pontifical Council for the Family
Structure, purpose and goals of the Pontifical Council for the Family
Familia a Deo Instituta Motu Proprio
6th World Meeting of Families Programme
INTERVIEW with Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) — "A person who firmly believes in Jesus Christ cannot help being missionary. Families united in the name of Jesus, who pray together and together listen to the Word of God, feel impelled to share the Christian experience among themselves and with others. Disciples and missionaries, evangelised and evangelisers: this was the dynamic proposed by the Catholic Bishops' Conferences of Latin America gathered in Aparecida, in Brazil, when they proposed a Great Continental Mission, to be ongoing. This will be one of the fundamental objectives for this next World Meeting of Families. In actual fact numerous missionary families already exist in parishes, diocesan pastoral activity, Catholic associations and movements. There are families who are missionaries in their own environment and others on mission in foreign countries, some very distant".
These words of his Eminence Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, President Pontifical Council for the Family, part of an interview with Fides, are a good illustration of the sense of this dossier dedicated to the Holy See's department for the family, particularly in view of the 6th World Meeting of Families in Mexico City, 13 - 18 January 2009. An important meeting, which, as Cardinal Antonelli explained, will help families achieve the missionary vocation entrusted to them by the Church. The 21st century is more than ever the time for missionary families, first witnesses of the Gospel of Christ. There are already numerous missionary families. But many more can become missionary with the prayers and the support of the local ecclesial communities and the whole Church.
With this dossier we will focus on the missionary nature of the family vocation, as John Paul II said in the encyclical Redemptoris Missio (n.80) : "Families, especially parents, should be conscious that they ought to "offer a special contribution to the missionary cause of the Church by fostering missionary vocations among their sons and daughters. "An intense prayer life, a genuine sense of service to one's neighbour and a generous participation in Church activities provide families with conditions that favour vocations among young people. When parents are ready to allow one of their children to leave for the missions, when they have sought this grace from the Lord, he will repay them, in joy, on the day that their son or daughter hears his call. I ask young people themselves to listen to Christ's words as he says to them what he once said to Simon Peter and to Andrew at the lakeside: "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Mt 4:19)." (Cf Mt. 4,19)".
Structure, purpose and goals of the Pontifical Council for the Family
The Pontifical Council for the Family, instituted by John Paul II with the Motu Proprio Familia a Deo Instituta in 1981, replaced the Committee for the Family created by Paul VI in 1973. The Council is responsible for the promotion of the pastoral ministry and apostolate to the family, through the application of the teachings and guidelines of the ecclesiastical Magisterium, to help Christian families fulfil their educational and apostolic mission. It also promotes and coordinates pastoral efforts related to the issue of responsible procreation, and encourages, sustains and coordinates initiatives to protect human life in all stages of its existence, from conception to natural death. Also in relation to the pastoral care of the family and to protect life, the following themes fall within the Council's sphere of competence: theology and catechesis of the family; conjugal and family spirituality; the rights of the family and the child; formation of the laity for the pastoral care of the family; marriage preparation courses. Other questions dealt with by the Council include: sex education, demographics, contraception and abortion; sterilisation, ethical and pastoral problems related to AIDS and other problems of bio-ethics; legislation regarding marriage, the family, family policies and the protection of human life.
His Eminence Cardinal Ennio Antonelli is the president of the Pontifical Council for the Family. It has a Presidential Committee composed of 15 cardinals and 12 archbishops and bishops, plus 19 married couples from all over the world who are the members, 39 consultors, and a staff of 10 officials.
Since 1994, at the request of various Bishops' Conferences, the Council has been giving up-dating courses for bishops and pastoral workers on the family, life and related ethical questions.
Starting from the 1994 Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council is responsible for organising the World Meetings of Families: Rome 1994; Rio de Janeiro 1997; Rome 2000, in the framework of the Jubilee of Families; Manila 2003. The Fifth World Meeting will take place in Valencia, Spain in 2006.
In 1996, the Pontifical Council for the Family began publication of a quarterly review, Familia et Vita, containing articles by experts and pastors (in the original languages with summaries in five languages) on subjects within the Council's areas of competence. The Council has many other publications in various languages regarding the family, human life and related issues.
Familia a Deo Instituta Motu Proprio
On 9 May 1981, in the third year of his Pontificate, John Paul II instituted the Pontifical Council for the Family. Since there is no official Vatican English translation the following English translation is provided by Fides Agency.
1. The family instituted by God to be the first and vital cell of human society, by Christ the redeemer, who deigned to be born in the Family of Nazareth, was greatly honoured that matrimony, intimate community of conjugal love and live, from which every families originates, was elevated by Him to the dignity of a Sacrament, in order to effectively signify the mystical pact of love between Christ and the Church (cfr. GS 48).
In view of this, the Second Vatican Council declared the family a «domestic church» (LG 11; cfr. also AA 11), demonstrating, with this teaching, the unique role to which the family is called for the completion of the whole plan of salvation, and also the demanding task which every member of the family is obliged to undertake, each according to his or her mission, the triple prophetic, priestly and regal duty, which Christ entrusted to his Church.
2. It is not surprising then that the Church, continually concerned through the centuries for the family and its difficulties, seeing the increase today of both means to promote the family and all sorts of dangers which threaten it, turns to the family with ever greater concern.
Significant testimony of this apostolic concern was the step taken by my great predecessor of v.m., Pope Paul VI, who decided on 11 January 1973 to constitute a special «Committee for the Family» charged with examining the spiritual, moral and social difficulties of the family from a pastoral point of view. It was conceived as an organism of pastoral study and research at the service of the mission of the Church and of the Holy See particularly. The motu proprio «Apostolatus peragendi» declared that the «Committee for the Family», although with its own structure and composition, would report to the «Pontifical Council for the Laity».
3. Careful reflection on experience in recent years, but above all a desire to offer a more adequate answer to the Christian people's expectations, reported to us by bishops all over the world and also during the recent Synod of Bishops dedicated to the family, led to a new and proper physiognomy and structure for Committee for the Family, which will enable it to address specific difficulties of the family reality with regard to pastoral care and apostolic activity relative to this key sector of human life.
Therefore, having deeply pondered, asked advice from the eminent cardinals in a special meeting in November 1979, and from the Synod of Bishops and listened to the opinion of experts, we announce:
I. The constitution of the «Pontifical Council for the Family» to succeed and replace the Committee for the Family, which therefore ceases to exist.
II. The Council will be presided by a cardinal, assisted by a «committee of presidency» composed of bishops from different continents, the secretary of the same Pontifical Council for the Family, as well as the vice-president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. The cardinal president is to be assisted by a secretary and under secretary.
A congruous number of officers selected in different countries from among persons with pastoral competence and experience in the matter, will guarantee the office work.
III. Members of the Pontifical Council are persons, mostly married lay people, men and women, called from different parts of the world and expressive of the various cultural areas. The members are appointed by the Holy Father. The members shall meet in plenary session at least once a year.
IV. The Pontifical Council will avail itself of the collaboration of expert consultors in the various disciplines with particular reference to the difficulties of the family. Also priests and religious may be called to be consultors. The consultors form the Consulta, charged with expressing advice and opinions on questions proposed by the president and by members. Consultors may be heard individually or collectively at periodical meetings.
V. Duties: it falls to the Pontifical Council for the Family to promote pastoral care for families and specific apostolate in the family field, for the application of teachings and instructions expressed by competent instances of the ecclesiastic magisterium, so that Christian families may undertake the educative, evangelising and apostolic mission to which they are called.
In detail:
a) in a spirit of service and collaboration and with respect for the proper activity of the same, engage in relations of information, exchange of experience and inspiring orientations of family pastoral care, with individual bishops, Bishops' Conferences and respective family pastoral care organisms;
b) promote the diffusion of the doctrine of the Church with regard to family issues so it may be known and correctly proposed to the Christian people in catechesis and in scientific knowledge;
c) promote and co-ordinate pastoral activities regarding responsible parenthood according to the teaching of the Church;
d) encourage elaboration of studies on matrimonial and family spirituality;
e) encourage, support and co-ordinate activity to protect human life in the whole period of existence from the moment of conception;
f) promote, also through the work of specialised institutes (theological and pastoral), studies aimed at integrating, in family issues, theological sciences and human sciences to make the whole doctrine of the Church better understood by men and women of goodwill;
g) engage in relations with Movements inspired by different religious confessions (or diverse ideal conceptions), respectful of natural law and sound humanism;
h) with respect for the competencies proper to the Pontifical Council for the Family and in collaboration with the same, promote specific preparation of lay faithful involved in family apostolate either as individuals or in associations, inspire, support and regulate the activity of Catholic family organisations, both national and international and various groups of lay apostolate with specific reference to family issues. For this purpose, engage in special relations with the same Pontifical Council for the Laity, with periodical exchange of information in view of common reflection and programmes;
i) offer collaboration to departments and organisms of the Roman Curia in matters of respective competence, having some effect on family life and family pastoral care — receiving in turn — collaboration particularly regarding family catechesis, theological formation on family issues of young people, particularly in seminaries and Catholic universities, theological-pastoral formation on family issues for future missionaries, men and women religious, activity of the Holy See within competent international instances and individual countries to ensure that the rights of the family are ever more widely recognised and safeguarded;
j) promote the collection — through Nunciatures — of information on the human, social and pastoral situation of families in the different countries.
VI. Experimental «Regulations», drafted in application of this motu proprio and observing what is established in the Regimini ecclesiae universae and the Regolamento generale della curia romana, will offer opportune guidelines for life within the Pontifical Council. — Rome, in the vicinity of Saint Peter, 9 May 1981, in the third year of our Pontificate.
The memorable 5th Meeting of Families in Valencia, Spain in 2006, launched the theme of 'handing on the faith in the family'. On that occasion Benedict XVI, during a Prayer Vigil and a concluding Sunday Mass, made a vibrant appeal to parents to fulfil the responsibility to educate children in the faith, stressing the fact that the family holds within it, in parents love for children, a great persuasive force for communicating the values of the faith and accompany children in the adventure of life.
Almost a year later the Holy Father returned to the subject in his discourse to open an Ecclesial Convention of Rome Diocese (11 June 2007) setting it in the vaster context of education: "Daily experience tells us — as we all know — that precisely in our day educating in the faith is no easy undertaking. Today, in fact, every educational task seems more and more arduous and precarious. Consequently, there is talk of a great "educational emergency", of the increasing difficulty encountered in transmitting the basic values of life and correct behaviour to the new generations, a difficulty that involves both schools and families and, one might say, any other body with educational aims".
The Holy Father in the past two years has frequently returned to the theme of the family and its responsibility and capacity for education, launching a challenge, the "education emergency" which feeds perhaps mainly on parents lack of self confidence and ability to educate: "both parents and teachers — the Pope said on that occasion — are easily tempted to abdicate their educational duties and even no longer to understand what their role, or rather, the mission entrusted to them, is".
The first thing is to restore family self-confidence and ability to leave an effective mark on the life of children. The call launched by John Paul II "Family, believe in what you are!" (Discourse 20 October 2001) is true not only for the anthropological and theological treasure which the families bears within itself such as the supreme good of the person and society; it is true also for the educative potential which the family by its nature contains, generated and borne by the affective relationship of every mother and father with their children.
The "urgent task of education" was mentioned again by the Holy Father in a Letter addressed 21 January 2008, to the diocese of Rome. The Pope is concerned about the lack of confidence of parents and educators in the face of this demanding task and he urges: "at this point I would like to say some very simple words to you: Do not be afraid! In fact, none of these difficulties is insurmountable. They are, as it were, the other side of the coin of that great and precious gift which is our freedom, with the responsibility that rightly goes with it".
Along this path, traced by Pope Benedict XVI on the theme of education, most timely comes the 6th World Meeting of Families to be held in Mexico City on the theme "The family, teacher in human and Christian values".
Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family went to Mexico last November to view preparations for the event. During his visit he underlined the importance of the Meeting which will see numerous families from all over the world gathered in the Mexican capital. From the Mexican megalopolis the Cardinal called on the Church and the peoples of the Continent of Hope to take part in the event, intended to leave a mark on the future path of the peoples of America. This Meeting — he said in Mexico City — is most important, because it refers to the family, the original nucleus of the Church and civil society and because the participants will include cardinals, bishops and delegations of families from all over the world: Canada, United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania.
On the same occasion the Cardinal said "although Benedict XVI, will not be physically present in Mexico, he will take part during the event, via television. The Holy Father will send a video-message and deliver a live address during the closing Mass on Sunday 18 January". The president of the Pontifical Council for the Family recalled that the Pope is sending his secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, as Papal legate.
Although the Pope will not preside the celebration is has assured his closeness and enthusiasm for the Meeting. Recently, recalling the beatification in Lisieux (France) of the parents of Saint Teresa of Lisieux, Louis and Zélie Martin, the Pope confided that one of his most important prayer intentions was the family. Its role, he said "is fundamental for educating children in a universal spirit, open and responsible for the world and its problems, as well as in the formation of vocations to the missionary life".
Programme of the 6th World Meeting of Families
The 6th World Meeting of Families will open with a Pastoral Theological Congress , 14-15-16 January, 2009 on three main themes: Relationships and Family Values; Family and Sexuality; the Teaching Vocation of the Family. In addition, there are also conferences and roundtable discussions planned on topics like: "Relationships and family values according to the Bible," What are the values to be discovered and rediscovered?," "The family and the value of human life," "Aids for the family in values education," "Family and the mass media," and "The challenge in legislation in favour of life and the family."
Liturgies will be held at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Saturday 17 January, recitation of the Rosary and testimony of families from Africa, Asia, America, Europe and Oceania and Sunday 18 January solemn Eucharistic Celebration presided by the Papal Legate, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, secretary of state.
The preparation of the faithful for the event, included a series of ten "preparatory Catechesis" on the theme of the meeting, diffused by the Pontifical Council for the Family and other material and pastoral handbooks to foster reflection on the educative role in the context of the virtues and values of the family. Initiatives of preparation included a "Mosaic of Families": a collection of photographs composed in a mosaic to form the image of Pope Benedict XVI. The initiative met enthusiasm and thousands of photographs from all over the planet were received by the organisers.
Other encouraging initiatives include: the "Family Wood", in which families plant trees in certain areas; this will be a fruit of the World Meeting and a means to increase environment awareness as Pope Benedict has so often requested; an "international photography competition" on the theme "Family and Migrants", promoted by the organisers of the 6th World Meeting of Families; a national competition: "a letter to my child" for Mexico's single mothers and mothers living alone. The best letters will be compiled in a book and sent to Benedict XVI as testimony of the profound value and dignity of Mexican mothers.
An estimated 6,000 to 10,000 participants will attend the pastoral theological congress but for the vigil and closing Mass more than one million people are expected. Participants represent 98 countries and include 200 bishops, 30 cardinals, 318 accredited journalists of whom 258 are Mexican.
INTERVIEW with Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family
Q. Your Eminence, the 6th World Meeting of Families is here. What is the reason for this appointment and what challenges does it face?
Cardinal Ennio Antonelli: This World Meeting of Families in Mexico follows previous ones in Rome, Rio de Janeiro, Rome again, Manila, Valencia, held every three years. The initiative, like World Youth Days, is a fruit of the love of John Paul II. This great Pope saw clearly that families and young people are privileged paths for the mission of the Church. With regard to families, we all see the many social and political changes and challenges which tend to disregard it and hence the urgent necessity of effective ecclesial and civil action.
Q. How was the event prepared? What was the method of approach?
Antonelli: The venue, Mexico City, was announced by Benedict in Valencia in 2006. Later the Pope chose the date 13-18 January 2009 and the theme "The family teacher of human and Christian values". Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, Archbishop of Mexico City set up an organising committee of priests and lay people presided by Auxiliary Bishop Jonás Guerrero Corona. Rev. José Guillermo Gutiérrez Fernández, a priest of Mexico City diocese was sent to work at the Pontifical Council for the Family to guarantee continual connection with Rome and collaboration to prepare and celebrate the Meeting with its three parts, Theological Pastoral Congress, Family Fest, solemn closing Mass.
The main preparatory initiatives included: a proposal of 10 Catechesis, copies of which were requested from many countries, a pilgrimage through the dioceses of Mexico of a Holy Family icon; a "Family Wood" planted in view of environmental education in Mexico City, a family mural, a large mosaic of family photographs forming an image of the Pope. Participants at the event will include delegations and speakers from different parts of the world.
Q. Pope Benedict XVI has frequently emphasised the great value of the family in society. What can and should be done to convince society of this?
Antonelli: First of all, in view of effective impact on society, it is indispensable for families to join associations which act at the cultural and political levels to promote respect for family identity and rights. In turn, associations must work together as they do in the Forum of Family Associations in Italy, Red Familia (Family Network) in Mexico, Alianza Latino Americana para las Familias etc. They should also work together with non Christian movements in civil society which promote also at the international level respect for the family, threatened by an individualist an relativist "gender" perspective.
Q. What role can families all over the world play in the missionary activity of the Church today? Can families be missionaries?
Antonelli: A person who firmly believes in Jesus Christ cannot help being missionary. Families united in the name of Jesus, who pray together and together listen to the Word of God, feel impelled to share their Christian experience among themselves and with others. Disciples and missionaries, evangelised and evangelisers: this was the dynamic proposed by the Catholic Bishops' Conferences of Latin America gathered in Aparecida, in Brazil, when they proposed a Great Continental Mission to be ongoing. This will be one of the fundamental objectives for this next World Meeting of Families. In actual fact numerous missionary families already exist in parishes, diocesan pastoral activity, Catholic associations and movements. There are families who are missionaries in their own environment and others on mission in foreign countries some very distant.
Q. You have been at the head of the Pontifical Council for only a few months, what urgent priorities did the Holy Father ask you to tackle? What are the central points of your work?
Antonelli: The Holy Father asked me first of all to complete the work of preparation for the next World Meeting, now imminent: to do this I intensified necessary contacts going in person to Mexico to assess the situation and offer warm encouragement to the organisers, the people and the Bishops' Conference.
As far as my work is concerned, it focuses on two essential areas: pastoral promotion in the Church and cultural proposal in civil society. Both areas demand first of all listening and consultation to identify opportunities and challenges, to learn of ongoing experiences and needs, to discern priorities and balance our activity. In this logic we have meetings with visiting bishops in Rome on ad limina visit, contact with our Council Members and Consultors and with scientific Institutes, and relations with numerous ecclesial subjects and with public institutions on the international horizon.
Dossier by P.L.R. — Fides Service, 10 January 2009; Editor Luca de Mata
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