In contributions to the ongoing media debate on whether divorce legislation should be introduced in Malta, one hardly ever finds any reference to Pope John Paul II’s exhortation entitled “Familiaris Consortio” promulgated in November 1981. This notwithstanding the fact this is regarded as being the most significant document the Holy See has ever issued on marriage and the family.
Written almost 30 years ago, the Pope had foreseen the negative trends aimed at destroying the foundations of the family as a result of the widespread adoption of divorce legislation. Various contributors to this newspaper have argued the case for or against the adoption in Malta of such legislation. Due to space limitations, I intend simply to refresh readers’ memories on some salient points of Pope John Paul II’s exhortation.
The Pope started by recognising that, despite the changes in the way of life, many families did adhere to “those values that constitute the foundation of the institution of the family”. The Pope also addressed the situation of divorced and remarried persons and went on to assure his readers that, through the gospel and its modern presentation, the Church does have the answers to modern questions. Having said that, he pointed out the dangers of falling victim to some very appealing but false ideas and solutions, contrary to the gospel, which are offered through “the powerful and persuasive organisation of the means of social communication”.
When commenting on certain modern negative phenomena threatening the very existence of the family in modern society, the Pope specifically mentioned a mistaken concept of the independence of spouses from each other. Having explained various forces of evil that cause marriage breakdowns, the Pope noted that the faithful couldn’t be immune to the situation in which they live. More and more of the faithful divorce and remarry. More and more accept a mere civil ceremony as sufficient for marriage. More and more marry without a living faith.
The Pope declared unequivocally that marriage is not an imposition of a form by some outside authority. No human being should ever be treated as a thing, as something to be used. Thus, conjugal love does not exist if the gift of the man and the woman is not until ‘death do us part’, the wedding promise. When a man and a woman enter into a lifelong union of love, they are acting as God acts. The Pope based this on the fact that, as we are images of God, we are called to do what He does.
The spouses have promised to surrender themselves to one another as God has given himself to His people. Adultery is a symbol of the people’s infidelity to their God. Marriage involves sacrifices and cannot be lived without grace. The Pope discusses the times and forms of familial prayer and made a strong endorsement of the family Rosary. Is this lack of parents praying together, and with their children, not one of the main contributory reasons for marriage breakdowns?
Interestingly, in expressing the Church’s wish, indeed its obligation, to offer the entire truth of the dignity of marriage and family life to all people, the Pope quickly adds that it is not merely the task of the priests and bishops, or even of the Pope himself. It is an obligation of the entire Church, laity together with priests. The Holy Spirit has made all the baptized prophets and therefore all have a responsibility to the truth (according to the Magisterium of the Church) and a responsibility to proclaim it. One is prompted to ask whether we lay persons are living up to this responsibility.
Towards the end of the exhortation, the Pope suggests that the rapid changes in most modern cultures necessitate the increased participation of the Church in the preparation of young people for marriage. He describes what he terms as three distinct steps in marriage preparation, i.e. remote; proximate; and immediate. Perhaps there is a need for more comprehensive marriage preparation courses in Malta. The Pope also requested the episcopal conferences to publish a Directory of the Pastoral Care of the Family, which would establish minimum standards required for a marriage preparation course.
Three times in his exhortation the Pope urged fidelity to the Magisterum by priests and deacons who in “their teaching and advice must always be in full harmony with the authentic Magisterum of the Church”. He urged bishops and so on. to support all families, but especially those experiencing suffering and difficulties. The ordained should help all families “to see their lives in the light of the gospel”. The priests and deacons will, in turn, if this apostolate is undertaken “with due discernment and with a truly apostolic spirit”, be encouraged in their own vocations. What enlightened thinking!
An entire section of the exhortation is devoted to pastoral care of the family in difficulty especially to families in irregular marital situations. The Pope strongly condemned trial marriages which are not permanent because the spouses only intend to test each other.
Then the Pope returns to the divorced and remarried. “The Church … cannot abandon to their own devices those who have been previously bound by sacramental marriage and who have attempted a second marriage. The Church will always try to bring these people the graces necessary for salvation.” He distinguishes between “those who have sincerely tried to save their first marriage and have been unjustly abandoned, and those who through their own grave fault have destroyed a canonically valid marriage”. Also the case of those who have entered into a second union for the sake of their children or because they are “subjectively certain in their conscience that their previous and irreparably destroyed marriage had never been valid”.
The Pope concludes with an extraordinary statement: “Those who have rejected the Lord’s command and are still living in this state will be able to obtain from God the grace of conversion and salvation, provided that they have preserved in prayer, penance and charity.” In effect, Pope John Paul II assured the divorced and remarried that God would find a solution to their particular problem if they continue to pray, do penance and to practise charity.
Divorced and remarried can take solace from this statement coming from the highest authority of the Church but, obviously, the conditions attached thereto cannot be taken too lightly. The Church’s teaching, based on scripture, against divorce is well known. Archbishop Cremona has made it clear that the local Church will not get involved in any crusade against the introduction of divorce legislation but it has a duty to evangelise based on scripture and the Magisterum. Our spiritual leader has also make it clear that this responsibility extends to the laity.
Inevitably, the time will come when the voting public will be asked to decide – preferably on the basis of draft specific legislation and not just a blind vote – whether the time is ripe to go beyond current legislation catering for separation of the spouses in case of irretrievable broken marriages between males and females where one or both spouses have sought to restart married life with another member of the opposite sex.
All parliamentarians and opinion leaders would do well to acquaint themselves with the contents of Familiaris Consortio. The full text of Familiaris Consortio, and also commentaries thereon, are available in English. There is also a Maltese translation by Mgr G Lupi published by the Media Centre in 1993.
Anthony R. Curmi
ST JULIAN’S