Church is Particularly Challenged Today because of its Teaching on Sexuality: Cardinal
Antonelli
November 29, 2011: 20th Assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Family
began in Rome on Tuesday. It will conclude on 1st December 2011. Addressing
the participants at the introductory session, Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, President
of the Pontifical Council for the family, said that is an occasion to celebrate 30
years of Pope John Paul II Apostolic Exhortation "Familiaris Consortio" and the creation
of the same Pontifical Council, as well as the preparation of the upcoming VII World
Meeting of Families.
Reflecting on the Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio,
Cardinal Antonelli said that "The family has the mission to guard, reveal and
communicate love, a living reflection of and a real sharing of God's love for humanity
and love of Christ the Lord for the Church his bride. Every particular task of the
family is an expression and concrete actuation of that fundamental mission ". ‘Familiaris
Consortio’ affirmed natural law and the family based on marriage between man and
woman, open to procreation and education of children, disapproving of any sexual relationship
outside the marriage. Today the Church is particularly challenged because of its teaching
on sexuality and is considered an enemy of freedom and joy of life. Familiaris
Consortio encourages Christian families to perform specific activities of the
apostolate, charity and civic engagement, both as individual families and forming
groups, communities, movements and associations. The Cardinal also said that blessed
Pope John Paul II taught to put the spotlight on the meanings, values and spirituality,
with the background rules of sexual morality. The Pontifical Council for the Family
was instituted by blessed Pope John Paul II on 9 May 1981 with the aim to promote
the study and pastoral action because the Church's teaching on the family and human
life is increasingly known and lived, the Cardinal added.