Bishop Farrell's statement on Apostolic Exhortation from Pope Francis - The Joy of Love (Amoris Laetitia)

From Bishop Kevin J. Farrell, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas:

This is an extraordinary document on the family and it will be the focus of the Church for years to come. Amoris Laetitia emphasizes the importance of the family as the foundation of society.   It clearly defines the Church’s teaching on marriage and the family.

There are those who will be disappointed with this document; some who feel Pope Francis does not go far enough in addressing the hopes of those in irregular marriages, others who feel it compromises traditional teaching. In my opinion, it reflects the call of Jesus to his church to continue his healing and saving mission.

As the Holy Father explains, “The Church’s way, from the time of the Council of Jerusalem, has always been the way of Jesus, the way of mercy and reinstatement… The way of the Church is not to condemn anyone forever; it is to pour out the balm of God’s mercy on all those who ask for it with a sincere heart.” (AL, 296)