Alerts Sign-up
The Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life has released a pastoral framework aimed at guiding dioceses in initiating a synodal process to enhance the pastoral care of human life. This initiative seeks to assist Catholics globally in defending and promoting human life amid significant violations of human dignity.
Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the dicastery, stated that the 40-page document titled "Life is always a good. Initiating Processes for a Pastoral Care of Human Life," aims to reaffirm teachings from St. John Paul II's encyclical "Evangelium Vitae" and Pope Francis' emphasis on protecting human life. He wrote, “We must forge a genuine pastoral care of human life.”
The framework does not provide specific solutions but offers ways to initiate processes involving the entire Catholic Church body, reflecting the synodal process started in 2021. Cardinal Farrell emphasized that every person's life should be respected and defended universally, with particular focus on educating young people about life's value.
According to Bishop Dario Gervasi, adjunct secretary of the dicastery, this framework emerged from dialogues with bishops worldwide who highlighted the need for renewed efforts in safeguarding human dignity. “The primary recipients of this pastoral framework are the bishops,” he said.
The document encourages moving from activity-based objectives to co-responsibility and transformative discipleship within church communities. It stresses that attention should extend beyond traditional pro-life issues to address broader threats to human dignity.
Cardinal Farrell called upon all members of the church community to engage with this new framework actively. The document is accessible online in multiple languages, with more translations forthcoming.
