THE RECEPTION OF THE RECEPTION OF “FAMILIARIS “FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO” CONSORTIO”

IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT

OF EVANGELIZATIONOF EVANGELIZATION

Presented Presented by: Jaime & by: Jaime &

Ligia da Ligia da Fonseca,Fonseca,Mumbai-Mumbai-

IndiaIndia

THE RECEPTION OF THE RECEPTION OF “FAMILIARIS “FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO” CONSORTIO”

IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF

EVANGELIZATIONEVANGELIZATION

1.1. The primary agency that promotes FC in India is the The primary agency that promotes FC in India is the John Paul II Pontifical Institute for Marriage & John Paul II Pontifical Institute for Marriage & Family Studies, P.O. Thuruthy, Changanacherry; Family Studies, P.O. Thuruthy, Changanacherry; Kottayam Dt. Kerala – 686 535, India.Kottayam Dt. Kerala – 686 535, India.

2.2. The Institute trains Priests, Religious and Lay The Institute trains Priests, Religious and Lay Faithful from India & some neighbouring countries. Faithful from India & some neighbouring countries. On an average 20–22 graduates pass out every year On an average 20–22 graduates pass out every year with a Licentiate or Master’s degree in Marriage & with a Licentiate or Master’s degree in Marriage & Family. The Institute was established in 1996-97.Family. The Institute was established in 1996-97.

3. The graduates of the JPII Institute work in every 3. The graduates of the JPII Institute work in every corner of India in promoting the teaching of FC. corner of India in promoting the teaching of FC.

THE RECEPTION OF THE RECEPTION OF “FAMILIARIS “FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO” CONSORTIO”

IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF

EVANGELIZATIONEVANGELIZATION

3. FC has enhanced the quality of pastoral care of 3. FC has enhanced the quality of pastoral care of families. Many of the priest graduates and some families. Many of the priest graduates and some religious sisters are working as Directors of Family religious sisters are working as Directors of Family Apostolate in over 80 dioceses in India. Apostolate in over 80 dioceses in India.

4. The CCBI (Catholic Conference of Bishops’ of India)4. The CCBI (Catholic Conference of Bishops’ of India)[Latin Rite] has a Family Commission which [Latin Rite] has a Family Commission which promotes the teaching of FC. In March, 2005 promotes the teaching of FC. In March, 2005 (Ranchi) they organised the Conference on Family (Ranchi) they organised the Conference on Family for the Latin Rite Bishops’ of India. FC was for the Latin Rite Bishops’ of India. FC was promoted in a big way and the bishops had a study promoted in a big way and the bishops had a study session on FC.session on FC.

THE RECEPTION OF THE RECEPTION OF “FAMILIARIS “FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO” CONSORTIO”

IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF

EVANGELIZATIONEVANGELIZATION

5. The JP II Institute publishes the only “India Journal for 5. The JP II Institute publishes the only “India Journal for Family studies” since 2002 and promotes the message Family studies” since 2002 and promotes the message of FC. of FC.

6. In 2006, the Archdiocesan Family Commission 6. In 2006, the Archdiocesan Family Commission (Archdiocese of Bombay) organised a one day (Archdiocese of Bombay) organised a one day “symposium on FC” to celebrate 25 years of the “symposium on FC” to celebrate 25 years of the document.document.

7. 7. Snehalaya Family Service Centre runs 2 programmes to Snehalaya Family Service Centre runs 2 programmes to train family animators for the Family Apostolate [i.e. TFE train family animators for the Family Apostolate [i.e. TFE ((Training for Family EnrichmentTraining for Family Enrichment) - 11 month programme ) - 11 month programme (one Sunday a month) and TFA ((one Sunday a month) and TFA (Training for Family Training for Family AnimationAnimation) – 12 day programme spread over 3 months.]) – 12 day programme spread over 3 months.]

THE RECEPTION OF THE RECEPTION OF “FAMILIARIS “FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO” CONSORTIO”

IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF

EVANGELIZATIONEVANGELIZATION

7.7. The syllabus includes the study of the entire FC docu-The syllabus includes the study of the entire FC docu-ment. Snehalaya has published the study edition of ment. Snehalaya has published the study edition of FC.FC.

8. Snehalaya Family Service Centre, Mumbai also has 8. Snehalaya Family Service Centre, Mumbai also has been promoting the teachings of FC in the Gulf Region been promoting the teachings of FC in the Gulf Region since 2008 in Vicariates of Northern Arabia [4 since 2008 in Vicariates of Northern Arabia [4 countries] Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain (not yet in S. countries] Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain (not yet in S. Arabia) and Southern Arabia [3 countries] U.A.E. & Arabia) and Southern Arabia [3 countries] U.A.E. & Oman (not yet in Yemen). Seminars have been Oman (not yet in Yemen). Seminars have been conducted for the clergy and lay faithful who are conducted for the clergy and lay faithful who are members of the parish family ministry.members of the parish family ministry.

THE RECEPTION OF THE RECEPTION OF “FAMILIARIS “FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO” CONSORTIO”

IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF

EVANGELIZATIONEVANGELIZATION

9.9. South East Asia: Fr. Louis Taum, from Hanoi a grad-South East Asia: Fr. Louis Taum, from Hanoi a grad-uate of the JP II institute (Rome Session) promotes uate of the JP II institute (Rome Session) promotes the teaching of FC in Vietnam. Fr. Bernardino Agung the teaching of FC in Vietnam. Fr. Bernardino Agung MSF, from Jakarta, a graduate of the JP II institute MSF, from Jakarta, a graduate of the JP II institute (Rome Session) who is the secretary of the Family (Rome Session) who is the secretary of the Family Commission of the Indonesian Catholic Bishops’ Commission of the Indonesian Catholic Bishops’ Conference promotes the teaching of FC in Indonesia.Conference promotes the teaching of FC in Indonesia.

10. The CCBI Commission for Family had its National 10. The CCBI Commission for Family had its National Diocesan Directors Meet recently at Alwaye - Kerala Diocesan Directors Meet recently at Alwaye - Kerala from 11th to 14th Oct. 2011, which was presided over from 11th to 14th Oct. 2011, which was presided over by the Chairman Bishop, Most. Rev. Dr. Lawrence Pius by the Chairman Bishop, Most. Rev. Dr. Lawrence Pius Dorairaj, Auxiliary Bishop of Chennai Mylapore. Dorairaj, Auxiliary Bishop of Chennai Mylapore.

THE RECEPTION OF THE RECEPTION OF “FAMILIARIS “FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO” CONSORTIO”

IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF

EVANGELIZATIONEVANGELIZATION

There were about 68 Regional Secretaries and There were about 68 Regional Secretaries and Diocesan Directors who participated in it. They were Diocesan Directors who participated in it. They were given a training on how to accompany families given a training on how to accompany families through family counseling. This meeting as well through family counseling. This meeting as well formulated an action plan for the coming year, formulated an action plan for the coming year, particularly to pay attention to prevent break up of particularly to pay attention to prevent break up of marriages through organized way of family counseling marriages through organized way of family counseling - to work out a guide lines for counseling, to create - to work out a guide lines for counseling, to create family cell and to establish family movements in the family cell and to establish family movements in the parishes. It also thought about to work towards "New parishes. It also thought about to work towards "New Evangelization in the context of family visit".Evangelization in the context of family visit".

THE RECEPTION OF THE RECEPTION OF “FAMILIARIS “FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO” CONSORTIO”

IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF

EVANGELIZATIONEVANGELIZATION

11. Just this June 2011, Rev. Fr. Michael Peters, C.PP.S, 11. Just this June 2011, Rev. Fr. Michael Peters, C.PP.S, present Executive Secretary of CCBI Commission for present Executive Secretary of CCBI Commission for Family, completed his Doctorate in Moral Theology at Family, completed his Doctorate in Moral Theology at Rome, and he did his thesis on Rome, and he did his thesis on ""Family Moral Values Family Moral Values in Valmiki Ramayana and in the Teachings of the in Valmiki Ramayana and in the Teachings of the Catholic Church - A Comparative Study.Catholic Church - A Comparative Study."" He has He has quoted all important documents, particularly FC of quoted all important documents, particularly FC of Pope John Paul II. Pope John Paul II.

12. 12. SingaporeSingapore: : The equivalent of a family commission for The equivalent of a family commission for Singapore is the Family Life Society (FLS). They have Singapore is the Family Life Society (FLS). They have since their founding in the 70s studied carefully FC since their founding in the 70s studied carefully FC and its implications for the family. and its implications for the family.

THE RECEPTION OF THE RECEPTION OF “FAMILIARIS “FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO” CONSORTIO”

IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF

EVANGELIZATIONEVANGELIZATION

The document is familiar to the board and affliates The document is familiar to the board and affliates and is often quoted. Besides just studies and and is often quoted. Besides just studies and quotations the sense of the family as agent and quotations the sense of the family as agent and subject of evangelization has become a part of all subject of evangelization has become a part of all their programs and events.their programs and events.

  In earlier times and until today the Catholic family and In earlier times and until today the Catholic family and Social Movement (CFSM) have used FC as a reference Social Movement (CFSM) have used FC as a reference for their work with families. Young families discuss for their work with families. Young families discuss the meaning of being the ‘domestic church’ and this the meaning of being the ‘domestic church’ and this term has become common parlance in catholic family term has become common parlance in catholic family circles.circles.

THE RECEPTION OF THE RECEPTION OF “FAMILIARIS “FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO” CONSORTIO”

IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF

EVANGELIZATIONEVANGELIZATION

13. Asian level with FABC & the AsIPA Resource Team13. Asian level with FABC & the AsIPA Resource Team

Wendy M Louis, the present Executive Secretary of Wendy M Louis, the present Executive Secretary of FABC, Office for Laity & Family, has written articles on FABC, Office for Laity & Family, has written articles on FC and the Family in Singapore for the SPI’s FC and the Family in Singapore for the SPI’s newsletter. She has written a paper on FAMILY and newsletter. She has written a paper on FAMILY and Small Christian Communities (SCCs) for FABC Small Christian Communities (SCCs) for FABC Plenary Assembly on the Family in South Korea in Plenary Assembly on the Family in South Korea in 2006. She has co-written a paper with Mr. Gordon 2006. She has co-written a paper with Mr. Gordon Morris on Families and Small Christian Communities Morris on Families and Small Christian Communities with extensive quotations from FC. Even where with extensive quotations from FC. Even where quotations are not extensive the definitions and quotations are not extensive the definitions and concepts are clearly from FC.concepts are clearly from FC.

  

THE RECEPTION OF THE RECEPTION OF “FAMILIARIS “FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO” CONSORTIO”

IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF

EVANGELIZATIONEVANGELIZATION

13. Asian level with FABC & the AsIPA Resource Team13. Asian level with FABC & the AsIPA Resource Team

In 1994, for the first Asian Laity Meeting organized by In 1994, for the first Asian Laity Meeting organized by the FABC Office of Laity and Family in South Korea, the FABC Office of Laity and Family in South Korea, FC was developed as 3 modules to help families in FC was developed as 3 modules to help families in Small Christian Communities understand their dignity, Small Christian Communities understand their dignity, their role and mission. their role and mission.

  

ConclusionConclusion

FC has been well received within Church circles. But FC has been well received within Church circles. But the question is not only about the reception of FC - the question is not only about the reception of FC - although for this anniversary this is very relevant. although for this anniversary this is very relevant.

THE RECEPTION OF THE RECEPTION OF “FAMILIARIS “FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO” CONSORTIO”

IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF

EVANGELIZATIONEVANGELIZATION

ConclusionConclusion

The Church continues to speak of the sanctity of The Church continues to speak of the sanctity of marriage, the family, prayer in the family etc., which is marriage, the family, prayer in the family etc., which is true and good. Inadvertently, we may be speaking in a true and good. Inadvertently, we may be speaking in a language that is understood only by those who are language that is understood only by those who are already believers. Most often however, in our parishes already believers. Most often however, in our parishes and dioceses, we do not reach out with our expertise, and dioceses, we do not reach out with our expertise, resources and long term policies and strategies to resources and long term policies and strategies to help the real family struggle in inter-faith marriages, help the real family struggle in inter-faith marriages, in poverty, separated by migration and poor values in poverty, separated by migration and poor values etc. etc.

THE RECEPTION OF THE RECEPTION OF “FAMILIARIS “FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO” CONSORTIO”

IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF

EVANGELIZATIONEVANGELIZATION

ConclusionConclusion

Instead we ask them to attend programs, to come to Instead we ask them to attend programs, to come to the parish center for parenting programs or marriage the parish center for parenting programs or marriage enrichment, etc. The big question is – enrichment, etc. The big question is – how the Office how the Office of Laity and Family of FABC can help dioceses with of Laity and Family of FABC can help dioceses with their actual situations.their actual situations. How can the Church’s How can the Church’s teachings be communicated and be life-giving in these teachings be communicated and be life-giving in these situations where the vast majority have little time for situations where the vast majority have little time for religion, are struggling to put food on the table and to religion, are struggling to put food on the table and to raise honest, good children in a media crazy world?raise honest, good children in a media crazy world?

THE RECEPTION OF THE RECEPTION OF “FAMILIARIS “FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO” CONSORTIO”

IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, IN THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN ASIA, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FAMILY AS SUBJECT OF

EVANGELIZATIONEVANGELIZATION

ConclusionConclusion

Does the Church tend to focus on the practicing, Does the Church tend to focus on the practicing, middle-class family? The language of our programs, middle-class family? The language of our programs, the type of programs, events and services provided the type of programs, events and services provided may give us an answer. Can we widen our view and may give us an answer. Can we widen our view and see that the people in need are not the ones who come see that the people in need are not the ones who come to us. The families in need are voiceless, often to us. The families in need are voiceless, often homeless and resourceless and the Church is their homeless and resourceless and the Church is their hope.hope.

   More questions than answers! A greater dialogue More questions than answers! A greater dialogue

between interested persons/institutions is needed.between interested persons/institutions is needed.