Washington D.C., Oct 15, 2009 / 22:51 pm
As part of the bishops’ efforts to promote Catholics’ “renewed commitment” to strengthening marriage, a pastoral letter on marriage will be a major topic of the U.S. bishops’ fall general assembly in Baltimore.
During its assembly, which lasts from November 16-19, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will vote on the approval of “Love and Life in the Divine Plan.” A USCCB press release says the letter is an important component of the bishops’ National Pastoral Initiative for Marriage.
“Our pastoral letter is an invitation to discover, or perhaps rediscover, the blessing given when God first established marriage as a natural institution and when Christ restored and elevated it as a sacramental sign of salvation,” the bishops explained.
Essential points of Catholic teaching on marriage are presented, including the foundations for understanding its nature and purposes and for living it faithfully. The letter also discusses how to preserve and defend it as a necessary and unique social institution.