What the Pope's new guidance means for Catholic families
Guidelines hailed by both conservatives and liberals – but gay believers will be disappointed
Pope Francis has published long-awaited guidelines clarifying the Catholic Church's position on family life, love and marriage.
The document, which was two years in the making, comes after hundreds of bishops from around the world held two separate synods to debate how to respond to the changing dynamics of the modern family.
Amoris Laetitia, or The Joy of Love, does not make any changes to religious doctrine, but does call for greater compassion and less judgement within the Church.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The 256-page document is highly nuanced and both conservatives and liberals have found cause for celebration. Acknowledging this, the Pope said: "I do not recommend a rushed reading of the text."
What it means for marriage
The Pope reaffirmed the Church's belief in traditional marriage, but also urged priests not to dismiss "the constructive elements" of non-traditional unions and to support those in "irregular situations".
The position on gay marriage remains clear and unchanged: "There are absolutely no grounds for considering homosexual unions to be in any way similar or even remotely analogous to God's plan for love and marriage," the document says.
However, LGBT groups will welcome comments that "every person, regardless of sexual orientation, ought to be respected in his or her dignity and treated with consideration", reports The Guardian.
For divorced Catholics
Many progressives hoped the Pope might loosen the ban preventing those who have divorced and remarried from taking communion.
While he did not explicitly grant blanket access, the Pontiff said divorced Catholics should be welcomed into Church life, suggesting it could be determined on a case-by-case basis, says the Washington Post.
Reproduction
Francis reaffirmed the Vatican's hardline opposition to abortion, saying: "No alleged right to one's own body can justify a decision to terminate that life." No compromise was made with regards to fertility treatment neither, with the birth of a child being seen as a gift from God.
What has the reaction been?
There is "some disappointment" among progressives, Christian Weisner, a founding member of the Munich-based Catholic reform group, We Are Church, told the Washington Post.
"But what I see here is that he is starting a process, one that will redefine the moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church."
Caroline Wyatt, the BBC's religion correspondent, said the Pontiff was forced to tread a careful path to please bishops from around the world.
"Traditionalists are likely to say that Pope Francis is opening the door to chaos in the future by suggesting that a 'one size fits all' Church is not the way forward," she argues.
"Likewise, some liberals will be bitterly disappointed that there is not a greater welcome for gay Catholics – something Pope Francis was never likely to deliver."
But Thomas Groome, a theology professor at Boston College and a former priest, said the document offered more than many were expecting.
"It's a heck of an improvement from where we were with John Paul and Benedict, when we couldn't even discuss these issues. At least he's lifted the embargo on discussing them."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The history of Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories
The Explainer How the 2024 Republican nominee has consistently stoked baseless fears of a stolen election
By David Faris Published
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published