Catholic Women's Council writes this document in the inescapable context of the global rise of misogyny, renewed attacks on women’s and LGBTQ rights, and growing violence against women, a reality that must guide- any discernment on family life. We pray these voices may help ensure the Church can speak to this moment and truly serve all families in their complexity.
IN many ways it is difficult to engage with the five thematic areas proposed by the Vatican in preparation for the upcoming meeting:
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- Families today: reality, beauty and challenges
- Young people and the discovery of the vocation to marriage
- Married life. The first years of marriage: a decisive time
- In the difficulties of accompanying and supporting
- Christian families as subjects of the Church's mission life:
For women, the family is both a place of profound grace and of profound risk. Far beyond “challenges”, the prevalence of violence and abuse, economic or legal dependency, cultural shaming, and uneven gender roles within the home can be traced back to. patriarchal frameworks, practices, and language that the Church too often reinforces. Instead, we ask the Church to take up the following 5 urgent realities for women in family life and as members of the Christian family:
- Androcentric frameworks;
- The culture of abuse within the Christian Family;
- Marriage and Canon Law;
- Sexual Education; and
- Diversity of Families.