The ecclesial notion of ‘family’ versus authentic families today: Evaluation of the initial findings of the 2014 Synod of Catholic Bishops

Authors

  • Graham Duncan University of Pretoria
  • Jakub Urbaniak University of Pretoria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17570/stj.2016.v2n1.a08

Keywords:

Family, law of graduality, pastoral challenges, Pope Francis, Synod of Bishops

Abstract

The traditional institution of the family within Roman Catholic Christianity and Christianity in general is in an invidious position in contemporary society, partly because it lacks an agreed definition in a fluid global context. The church is an institution in which families subsist and which both needs and bolsters the family unit for its own existence and stability. However, all major churches seem to be stuck in outdated traditional modes of understanding which are exclusive and cause great distress to many who do not conform to them. The Roman Catholic Church has recently inaugurated a discussion of pastoral challenges currently facing family life. This is an attempt to evaluate critically its initial findings through deconstructing the traditional notion of family on which the Church teaching seems to rely.

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Published

2016-07-30

How to Cite

Duncan, G., & Urbaniak, J. (2016). The ecclesial notion of ‘family’ versus authentic families today: Evaluation of the initial findings of the 2014 Synod of Catholic Bishops. Stellenbosch Theological Journal, 2(1), 149–176. https://doi.org/10.17570/stj.2016.v2n1.a08

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2016)

Section

General Articles (articles from all theological disciplines)

License

Copyright (c) 2016 Graham Duncan, Jakub Urbaniak

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