Washington D.C., Apr 8, 2016 / 16:08 pm
The United States bishops are welcoming Pope Francis's new apostolic exhortation, Amoris laetitia, praising the Pope's call for careful encouragement and support of married life and engagement with families facing challenges.
The bishops also echo the Holy Father's call for a careful and considered reading of the text, urging understanding as Catholics seek to apply the Pope's recommendations to their families and to society.
"The Pope has given us a love letter – a love letter to families," said Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, in a Friday press conference. The document, the archbishop said, challenges the faithful to grow in love and trust in God's mercy in the face of difficulty. "Let us remember that no obstacle is too big for Christ to overcome."
Archbishop Kurtz also echoed the Pope's own caution against "a rushed reading of the text" when turning to it for pastoral guidance and understanding. "I really encourage each one of us to read and reflect carefully on the words of Pope Francis – how they can be applied to our lives, our families and our society."