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How Pope Francis' 'Amoris Laetitia' could affect families, the church (w/video)

 
Pope Francis could address same-sex marriage, or he could simply focus on broader issues.
Pope Francis could address same-sex marriage, or he could simply focus on broader issues.
Published April 8, 2016

In what could be an important moment for his leadership of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis is scheduled to issue a major document today regarding family issues. It is titled Amoris Laetitia, Latin for "The Joy of Love."

In the document, known as an apostolic exhortation, the pope could change church practice on thorny subjects like whether divorced Catholics who remarry without having obtained annulments can receive Holy Communion. He might address debates over same-sex relationships, cohabitation and polygamy, an issue in Africa. Or, he could sidestep such divisive topics and stick to broader philosophical statements.

How long did this take?

For the past two years, Francis has guided the church through a sweeping exercise of self-examination that some scholars have compared to the Second Vatican Council. Catholics around the world filled out detailed questionnaires about whether the church meets their families' needs. Bishops and other church officials spent two tumultuous meetings at the Vatican, known as synods, debating and arguing.

The broad topic was whether the Catholic Church should reposition itself, and how. Francis listened, prodded and sometimes steered the process, but he mostly kept his own counsel. Until now.

What's at stake?

Having led Catholics into such delicate terrain, Francis has stirred hope and fear. Some religious conservatives warn he could destabilize the church and undermine Catholic doctrine. Some liberals, though, are hoping Francis will directly address same-sex marriage and contraception in a way that would make the church more responsive to today's realities.

"I'm sure he knew he would touch some nerves," said John Thavis, a longtime Vatican analyst and the author of The Vatican Diaries. "He may not have appreciated how much opposition there could be."

What's all the fuss about?

Francis signaled early on that he wanted the church to re-examine its ministry to those who feel excluded. One of the major issues is the church policy that bars divorced Catholics who have remarried without seeking a church annulment of their first union from receiving the sacrament of Holy Communion.

M. Cathleen Kaveny, a professor at Boston College who focuses on the relationship between law, religion and morality, said she was expecting "some sort of movement."

"If there is no shift at all, it would have been better had the whole discussion not been opened," she said. "I think that people are looking to Francis to provide some way forward in these intractable personal situations."

The document will be published at 6 a.m.