Cardinal Lacroix: We must be present and go out to families

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

The Vatican held its latest press briefing on Monday on the ecclesial encounter “Ten Years After Amoris laetitia: Proclaiming the Gospel with Families Today,” convened by Pope Leo XIV to mark the tenth anniversary of the Apostolic Exhortation.

The gathering, which concludes on Wednesday, October 14, has brought together Pope Leo XIV, the heads of the Eastern Churches, presidents of Bishops’ Conferences, married couples and experts to reflect on how the Church can better accompany families today.

Among those available to speak to journalists at the Press Office briefing on Monday were Father Giacomo Costa, S.J., consultor of the General Secretariat of the Synod and responsible for methodology during the meeting; Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, Metropolitan Archbishop of Quebec, Canada; Archbishop Josef Nuzík of Olomouc, Czechia; Sister Professor Ester Lucas José Maria, F.C., from Mozambique–France; Professor Claudia Cristina Leal Luna originally from Chile but teaching in Rome; Ms. Marcelline Mendoume and Mr. Pierre-Flavien Mendoume Ba N’Nang of Gabon; and Ms. Valérie Daou of Lebanon.

Listening to families and accompanying couples

Father Costa opened the briefing by reflecting on the fruits the encounter has born since the previous briefing. He described a “rich and frank” exchange of experiences that allowed participants to reconsider their own pastoral approaches in the light of others’ experiences.

Today’s discussions focused on accompanying and supporting families amid life’s challenges. The morning plenary session opened with prayer, followed by a personal testimony and reflections from Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of the Philippines and Professor Julie Hanlon Rubio of the United States.

Participants then continued their work in groups, with reports and further discussion scheduled for the afternoon.

The morning session began with a prayer for those affected by the recent earthquake in Panama. Archbishop Francisco Javier Múnera Correa, President of the Episcopal Conference of Colombia, also expressed gratitude for the solidarity shown by Churches around the world toward the people of Colombia, Venezuela and Panama during these difficult circumstances.

He noted that a central theme of the encounter has been young people’s hopes and concerns regarding marriage. While many continue to desire lasting love and a happy family life, fears of losing their freedom, repeating painful family experiences and taking on seemingly overwhelming responsibilities can make marriage difficult to contemplate.

“For some, marriage remains desirable; for others, it is difficult even to imagine,” Father Costa explained.

The challenges of planning a future and accompanying couples after the wedding

Often times, he warned that economic insecurity plays a significant role. Unstable employment, difficulties finding housing, the costs of weddings and other financial pressures, he said, can make it difficult for young people to plan their futures.

“It is difficult,” Father Costa observed, “to promise each other a future when you do not know whether you will have a job or a home.”

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He also noted that participants also discussed cohabitation, recognizing that couples live together for different reasons. For some, it reflects a developing commitment to family life; for others, it is shaped by personal fears or economic constraints.

While acknowledging that cohabitation was not presented as an ideal preparation for marriage or a guarantee of greater stability, Father Costa pointed out that participants stressed the importance of accompanying couples and helping them discern whether they are ready to embrace the Church’s understanding of marriage.

The discussions, he explained, underscored the importance of understanding people’s aspirations and concrete circumstances, in keeping with the pastoral approach outlined in Amoris laetitia.

Participants, he added, also emphasized the need for continued pastoral support for married couples, particularly during the first years of marriage, when they may face challenges involving communication, finances and having children.

In this context, he also acknowledged participants’ recognition that the inability to have children can become for many a source of profound suffering.

Cardinal Lacroix: Be present and go out to families

Speaking to Vatican News on the sidelines of the briefing, Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix highlighted the growing recognition that welcoming families and being present for them are essential.

“There is an overall recognition that we must be more welcoming, more present, listen much more to what people are experiencing and give them hope,” he said. “We must give them the tools to grow in their faith. This is what is emerging across the board.”

The Cardinal stressed that the Church’s response need not begin with large-scale programs or elaborate strategies.

“We are not thinking first and foremost about big programs and strategies. No. Just be there for your people. Start with that. Be welcoming. Give your testimony. Be witnesses to what you preach.”

The whole Church is called to this mission

Asked what had particularly struck him during the encounter, Cardinal Lacroix returned to the importance of making time for others and reaching out to people wherever they are.

“We must take the time to be with those who come to us, and with those we meet in everyday life who ask questions. People are not only in church; they are everywhere, and we should be everywhere, too.”

The Cardinal stressed that the question is not, “Why aren’t you coming to church?” but rather, “Why aren’t we going out into the world and reaching out to people?”

Emphasizing that this mission belongs to the entire Church, he said, “It is not just up to us. The people in the pews, including families, couples, widows and widowers, and grandparents, all have a mission to share and invite.”

Prayers for Pope Leo XIV

The Cardinal was also asked how the Pope’s announcement that he would undergo surgery had affected the encounter, given that he had personally called the gathering and had been present at its beginning.

“Of course, we are all praying for him, as I am sure people throughout the world are, but in a special way,” Cardinal Lacroix said. “We know how much he wanted to be here. He was with us at the beginning, and now, for the reasons we know, he can no longer be with us in person.”

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Nevertheless, he said, the Pope’s continued interest in the participants’ work was a source of encouragement.

“He wants to see all the work we have done, read it and go through it. He also wanted to offer a final statement, which will come later. It has simply been postponed a little.”

The Cardinal emphasized that the Pope had called the gathering precisely because he wanted to hear the experiences and insights of the whole Church.

Adjustments due to the Pope’s hospitalization

During the briefing, Father Costa had explained how Pope Leo XIV’s hospitalization for surgery would affect some of the meeting’s concluding activities.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and Dean of the College of Cardinals, will instead preside over the concluding Mass on Wednesday.

The Pope’s hospitalization will also affect the publication of the synthesis report prepared at the end of the encounter.

Father Costa explained that Pope Leo had wanted to hear the participants’ conclusions and offer his own reflections before the document was made public.

He said the Pope therefore has asked that publication be postponed so that he could first review the report and respond to its contents.

After leaving the hospital, the priest explained that Pope Leo intends to return to the document and the other materials from the meeting before offering his reflections.