Scottish Catholic Observer

“There are all sorts of different families… But if there’s love, dear… those are the ties that bind, and you’ll have a family in your heart, forever.”

This line from the 1993 US film Mrs Doubtfire, although heartfelt, was a clear example of liberal Hollywood attempting to redefine the definition and meaning of family, the foundation of society. None-the-less, it actually reinforces the importance of family. For, if traditional family was not truly important, why would other social groups in secular society be so intent on emulating it and the strong support it offers? From urban families made up of friends to same-sex unions to homosexual adoption, they are all based on the model of traditional family that, ironically, lobbyists and changes to the law appear to be intent on undermining and even dismantling.

The issue of family has become such a battleground globally that it has merited not one but two synods of bishops, each dovetailing either end of the World Meeting of Families in the US and preceding the Year of Mercy beginning in December. While the Catholic definition of sacramental marriage—a union between and man and a woman open to welcoming children into the world to become a family—cannot, and should not change, the Church needs to be aware of those struggling in irregular situations.

While it is clear that the Church’s aim must be to offer pastoral care to those effected, it must surely remain hopeful of raising people up to staying true to Catholic teaching. In doing so we are not judging others, we ourselves are preparing to be judged.

From the Named Person bill in Scotland to so-called equality legislation impacting adoption and marriage law, the former raised at the recent St Margaret Children and Family Care Society’s 60th ball, the Christian heritage of our country is being marginalised so that in effect religious tolerance, never mind freedom, is being crushed.

Jesus may have said ‘suffer little children to come on to me’ but it takes a brave generation of young Catholics to identify themselves publicly with the Faith. They must be equipped with the right tools through ongoing Faith formation to challenge secularism.

So this week, after the World Meeting of Families and ahead of the Synod on the Family, we pray that the Holy Spirit guides the Church through these challenging modern times and dilemmas.

As Pope Francis said: “No doubt about it: the perfect family does not exist; there are no perfect husbands and wives, perfect parents, perfect children, but this does not prevent families from being the answer for the future. God inspires us to love, and love always engages with the persons it loves. So let us care for our families, true schools for the future. Let us care for our families, true spaces of freedom. Let us care for families, true centres of humanity.”