Amid the challenges of the modern world, Amoris laetitia remains a work in progress

By Salvatore Cernuzio

An Egyptian patriarch, an Indian cardinal, an Australian bishop, a French expert and an Argentine theologian, a married couple from the Philippines. All were present at the first briefing in the Press Office of the Holy See, the varied and universal perspective that Pope Leo XIV wanted to impart to the summit for the ten years of Amoris laetitia.

On the third day of work in the Paul VI Hall, where heads of the Eastern Churches and presidents of Episcopal Conferences, experts and couples sit together with the Pope, some of the participants met with the international media to offer details, ideas, and content that emerged in this event of “listening” and “dialogue”.

Dialogue, understood as sharing experiences on highly current issues, starting with migration which has separated many families around the world and reshaped everyday life and relationships; then the digital age, which affects the way of building bonds or even simply having dinner; and also accompaniment of new couples after the celebration of the wedding, the formation of priests, helping young people to discover the beauty of married life without “scaring” them or making them feel under pressure, and closeness to victims of abuse.

Intense work

In short, the work addressed many themes, many ideas, many experiences already lived or initiatives and proposals in progress. “It is intense work”, said Jesuit Father Giacomo Costa, consultant to the General Secretariat of the Synod, who spoke about the methodology adopted in recent days.

That methodology had already been consolidated during the most recent Synods and Consistories, whose sessions were punctuated by conversations, meditations, prayers, testimonies and pastoral experiences on the fruits of Pope Francis’ post-synodal exhortation.

Prayer, in particular is something that “maybe won’t make the news” but is “a fundamental moment to enter the climate of a meeting rooted in prayer”, Father Giacomo emphasized.

First steps and initial reports

After the “first steps”—that is, the initial forty-eight hours spent “getting to know”, “listening to”, and “trusting” one another (often for the first time)—work proceeded in various groups. These groups truly reflected the universality of the Church, with tables comprising participants from China, Poland, Italy, Mexico, Central Asia, and beyond. Each group drafted its own report, which was subsequently shared during the plenary session.

Focus on migration

Friday morning’s session provided the “initial overview”, offering a chance to reflect on the “beauty, challenges, and fragility of families today, and what this asks of our Churches”, Costa explained.

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The focus was primarily on the changes that have intensified in the decade since the publication of Amoris laetitia. These were not merely “novelties” but “elements of growing transformation”—foremost among them the theme of human mobility, “cited universally by all the groups”.

This issue affects “how we live out family relationships”, touching upon separated couples, grandparents acting as parents to their grandchildren, parenting challenges, difficulties in maintaining bonds or passing on the faith, and interfaith marriages.

All these issues emerged from the stories shared by many of those present in the Paul VI Hall. For instance, Costa noted, “it was emphasized that young people and adults should be prepared to live out their faith in other countries and communities, drawing upon the lessons learned within their families”.

Attention was also drawn to the difficulties faced by many families losing their support networks, as well as the enrichment that new experiences and cultures bring to many households.

The digital challenge

The digital revolution of the last decade was also central to “many stories and experiences”. There are also many “creative” initiatives by families who are “organizing new ways to be together—such as phone-free dinners for conversation, or methods for staying in touch during migration”.

The meeting also addressed the training of seminarians raised in digital culture or coming from “reconstituted” families. “How is their experience incorporated into their formation?” was one of the questions asked. “One can tangibly sense how fragility becomes a place where God continues to manifest the power of love”.

A challenge for the whole Church

Speaking of fragility, the pastors gathered at the Vatican also acknowledged the fragilities of the Church as a whole.

One of these concerns the “accompaniment” of families—something highly desired and promoted, yet sometimes difficult to implement. “Accompaniment risks becoming a buzzword that unites us in theory but remains to be clarified in practice”.

For instance, who actually stays close to couples and their children during crises or in old age? Or, how do we move from marriage preparation to supporting couples throughout their lives to help them live out this vocation?

“Accompaniment is the task of the entire Church”, Father Giacomo emphasized; “we must address it together, from a synodal perspective”.

“Pressures” on families

One point on which everyone agreed was the “pressures” many families face today. “Are we, as a Church, adding to them with our own demands?” participants asked.

There was no shortage of accounts regarding the difficulties of the current era: long working hours, violence against women, war, and the issue of “dowries” in certain cultures.

“Certain tendencies to idealize can burden families with expectations perceived as unattainable and can scare off young people”. The issue will continue to be discussed in the coming days.

Standing with those who have suffered violence

Reflection continues on the highly delicate issue of standing with survivors of abuse and those who have experienced violence. These are people who “need closeness and their own time”, and who must be helped to build “trust” in the possibility of experiencing loving relationships and intimacy.

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Shared words, different solutions

All of this, Father Giacomo Costa emphasized, requires an “extra effort”—namely, taking multiculturalism into account. “Shared words can refer to different approaches”.

The atmosphere is “constructive, pleasant, and serene”; the “approaches do not conflict, but mutual understanding is needed, as the solutions are not the same. We need a dialogue that allows us to explore different sensibilities”.

Work is therefore underway to “refine a shared understanding” and build the kind of “frank and honest sharing” called for by the Pope.

Words of thanks from the speakers

The first to take the floor briefly to offer greetings at the press gathering was the Coptic Patriarch of Alexandria, Ibrahim Isaac Sedrak, representing the Catholic Church in Egypt at the Vatican meeting.

He was followed by Cardinal Filipe Neri António Sebastião do Rosario Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman and President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India, who reiterated that “for us, the family is fundamental”. He expressed his pleasure at being able to “hear about experiences and responses offered around the world”, particularly from lay witnesses, noting that “this is important for accompanying our families”.

Archbishop Timothy John Costelloe of Perth, the President of the Australian Bishops’ Conference (“Everyone calls me Tim… only my mom calls me Timothy when I get into trouble”), reiterated the point regarding the “pressures” families face today. “As a Church, it is important to ask ourselves how we can constructively address the challenges and opportunities presented by the current situation”.

For her part, Véronique Martin Lonchamp—national delegate for family pastoral care at the French Bishops’ Conference—expressed that she felt “fortunate to be here and to hear about what is happening in the world”.

Meanwhile, Professor María Marcela Mazzini—an Argentine theologian, married with two children, and a participant in the 2015 Synod on the Family—spoke of the “opportunity” to return to the Vatican after ten years and “evaluate what has happened and is happening in the Church and the world”.

The presence of a couple

Representing all the couples at the gathering were the Filipino spouses Charmaine Bernadette and Eren Lyle Villegas, who have been “happily married for 16 years” and are “very grateful” to have been invited to such an event “for the first time”.

“We are grateful to share our experiences and our commitment to young people and families in pastoral work. We also share what we have learned from other cultures with which we have come into contact”.

The Commission for the revision of the Synthesis Report

During the briefing, the composition of the Commission tasked with revising the Synthesis Report was also announced. “The criterion was to have one representative per continent—doing our best to ensure this—and to include a family in the group”, explained Father Costa.

The Commission’s Delegate President is Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life. Its members include: Monsignor Philippe Bordeyne, President of the Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences; Audrey Boucher (Canada); Father Costa himself, who is responsible for methodology; Filipino Cardinal Pablo Virgilio Siongco David; Gabriella Gambino, Under-Secretary of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life; canon lawyer Orietta Rachele Grazioli, a lecturer at the Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute; Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod; Archbishop José Manuel Imbamba, President of the Episcopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé; Cardinal Anthony Poola, President of the inter-ritual Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India; and Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, President of the Italian Episcopal Conference.