WE ARE ONE IN HEART THOUGH DIFFER BY FAITH

Abstract

Pope Francis in October 2013, has convened an Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to be held in Vatican in October 2014, on the theme “The pastoral challenges of the family in the context of evangelisation”. The Instrumentum Laboris of the above mentioned 3rd Extraordinary General Assembly, under the sub-head “Special Situations” deals with “Disparity of Cult”. I think it is timely to reflect on this issue of “Disparity of Cult” in our Indian context where such marriages under disparity of cult are in constant increase in the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church stresses on the importance of Marriage preparation courses as “Remote Preparation”, “Immediate Preparation” and as “Post Matrimonial Preparation”. But the Post Matrimonial Preparations are not conducted in very many dioceses. Hence it is my earnest desire, through this article, to invite our venerable Bishops and Pastors, to think and to reflect, to work and promote Post Matrimonial Programs for our married couples and very particularly to understand the various issues involved in the life of the families formed out of “Disparity of Cult” and to come up with specific and concrete programs to promote pastoral care towards such families.