Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement today about the ongoing, fruitful reception and implementation in the United States of Pope Francis’ Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Amoris Laetitia.
Full statement follows:
A statement from Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville,
President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The Church in the United States, together with the Church throughout the world, has found in Pope Francis’ Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love) a wealth of encouragement, guidance, and wisdom about the beautiful gift and vocation of marriage and family life. Since its release date on April 8, 2016, bishops, lay leaders, and families in the United States have proactively sought to receive Pope Francis’s teachings joyfully and to implement them in our shared task of caring for marriages and families.
A request from the Office of the Synod of Bishops for a report on the reception and implementation of Amoris Laetitia in the United States has provided an opportunity to reflect on the good work that is already underway, as well as envisioned future plans to continue absorbing and unpacking this foundational document. As noted in the report, the Church in the United States has already eagerly begun to implement the teaching of Amoris Laetitia in numerous ways.
At a national level, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops looks forward to the anticipated development of a renewed, comprehensive pastoral plan for marriage and family life ministry and advocacy inspired by our Holy Father’s encouragement. This plan will be carefully developed over the next few years and will be a strategic opportunity for the Church here in this country to incarnate the rich vision of marriage and family life found in Amoris Laetitia.
Pope Francis has given us a tremendous gift in Amoris Laetitia. May our ongoing reception of it continue to be an opportunity for the whole Church and society to renew their dedication to protect, promote, and strengthen marriages and families.
The report presented to the Office of the Synod of Bishops, is available at: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-family/upload/Report-on-Reception-and-Implementation-of-Amoris-Laetitia-in-the-United-States.pdf.
