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Pope Tells 'Haggard' Europe:
Human Dignity
Key to Renewal
VATICAN CITY, November 25, 2014 -- Pope Francis’ address to the European Parliament touched on a variety of issues, all of which, he said, ought to promote the “centrality” of the human person so that a true cultural renewal can be attained.

Pope Francis:
Children Have Right to
a Their Mother and Father
VATICAN CITY, November 17, 2014 -- Children have the right to be raised by a mother and a father, Pope Francis said, emphasizing that “the family is the foundation of co-existence and a remedy against social fragmentation.”editor

Lots of High Fives:
Philly Celebrates
Announcement of Pope's Visit
PHILADELPHIA, PA, November 18, 2014 -- Pope Francis’ official confirmation of a visit to Philadelphia in 2015 has stoked great Catholic enthusiasm and prompted hopes that a papal visit will reinvigorate the archdiocese.

A New Love Language:
Post Synod Conference
Seeks Ways to Communicate
Truth of Marriage
VATICAN CITY, November 15, 2014 -- Following the dramatic and media-hyped Extraordinary Synod last month, the Vatican is hosting a colloquium seeking to find “new and creative language to speak to people where they are.”

How Can the Pope
Be Defined as "Reckless"?
SAN FRANCISCO, November 3, 2014 -- Recently, during an audience about marriage and family with 7,500 members of an Marian apostolate, the Holy Father fielded a question about how he could be defined as “reckless” by some people. The media has been having a field day spinning comments he has made to cause tremendous confusion. How he answered the question provides sage wisdom for all Christians.

Is a 'Vocation of Friendship'
Key to 'Gay' Ministry
In the Church?
WASHINGTON, DC, October 24, 2014 -- Recovering an understanding of friendship as a vocation could be a way for the Church to help ease spiritual problems of isolation, especially for those who are gay, said one Catholic author who is both lesbian and celibate.

Work, Pray, Love:
Archbishop Chaput's
Advice for Modern Christians
NEW YORK CITY, October 21, 2014 -- Religious believers should acknowledge that they are now “strangers” in U.S. society, in part because of their own failures, but should nevertheless work for renewal and worship God with joy, said Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput.

The Gospel of the Family
in the Secularized West
ROME, October 13, 2014 -- That fundamental cell of society which is the family is going through a period of extraordinarily rapid evolution. Premarital relationships are now lived out in the open and divorce is almost normal, often as a result of the breaking of conjugal fidelity. This is pulling us away from the traditional physiognomy of the family, in countries and cultures marked by Christianity.

The Real Dilemma:
Indissolubility or Divorce
ROME, October 13, 2014 -- After the first week of the synod, one thing is clear: the real focus of the discussion is whether or not to admit divorce in Catholic marriage.

Bill May on Catholic Answers Live Radio, Oct 3, 2014
Re-introducing Marriage to the Culture
SAN FRANCISCO, October 2, 2014 -- Please tune in to Catholic Answers Live radio Friday, October 3rd as Bill May discusses the need to reintroduce marriage to the culture with host Tim Staples. It should be a lively discussion as they take calls from people across the country and Internet listeners. Check with your local EWTN affiliate radio station for the local broadcast times or use the links below.

EPARATION, DIVORCE, DISSOLUTION OF THE BOND, AND REMARRIAGE:
THEOLOGICAL AND PRACTICAL APPROACHES OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCHES (excerpts)

by Cyril Vasil, S.J.

Influence of Roman and Byzantine Civil Law on Divorce and Second Marriages

In the pre-Christian era Roman law permitted divorce in general for two sets of motives: upon agreement of the parties (dissidium), or on the basis of a fault by one of the parties (repudium). […]

Preacher of Papal Household
Considers What Revelation
Can Contribute to
Marriage Problems Today
NORFOLK, VA, May 3, 2013 -- A talk given by the preacher of the Pontifical Household at the Awakening the Domestic Church conference provides a wonderful theological reflection on marriage. It includes historical notes on marriage in the Roman Empire and in the fledgling Christian community, as well as profound theological reflection on the various facets of marriage as understood through the lens of revelation.

Marriage's Indissolubility a Dogma,
Cardinal Clarifies
VATICAN, August 5, 2014 -- In a book-length interview, Cardinal Gerhard Mueller has underscored that the indissolubility of the marriage is no mere doctrine, but a dogma of the Church, and stressed the need to recover the sacramental understanding of marriage and family.

Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
Offers Insights for Cultural Evangelists
VATICAN, July 20, 2014 -- Pope Francis reflected on the parable of wheat and the tares during his July 20 Sunday Angelus address.His catechesis offered a continuation of insights that are particularly important for those seeking to evangelize the culture for marriage and family.