LANCASTER, England, SEPT. 4, 2009 (Zenit.org).- A unique marriage preparation course developed by the diocese of Lancaster will be featured by the Pontifical Council for the Family at their international seminar next week.
A press release from the diocese announced that Bishop Michael Campbell received a request from Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, president of the council, that the course would be made available to the participants of the Sept. 10-11 seminar in Rome.
The course, titled «Fit for Mission? Marriage,» was written by the retired head of the diocese, Bishop Patrick O’Donoghue, together with the Marriage and Family Life Commission.
Published by the Catholic Truth Society in May, the course «responds to the pastoral reality of today’s Church,» the communiqué explained.
It does this by offering two personalized options, according to the specific needs of the engaged couple. For pairs with an inactive faith, the course takes a fundamental approach of evangelization. Those couples who are practicing Christians, however, with an active faith and spirituality, will receive a course that goes deeper into catechesis.
Cardinal Antonelli wrote to Bishop O’Donoghue to acknowledge the course’s contribution to the Church’s mission.
He stated, «Indeed, characterized by the loving proclamation of the Catholic truth and doctrine, and leaving behind an excellent legacy of the ‘Fit for Mission’ publications, your episcopal office has and will continue to spread the Gospel of Christ for many years to come, not only within the Lancaster Diocese, but even well beyond the confines of its ecclesiastical territory.»
Bishop Campbell responded to the request, and sent copies of the course for the seminar, which will focus on the theme, «The Family as the Subject of Evangelization.»
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On the Net:
To order copies of «Fit for Mission? Marriage:» http://www.cts-online.org.uk/
