Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hyderabad (Agenzia Fides) – “Challenges facing family life: a Catholic response”: this was the theme discussed recently in view of the Synod of Bishops for the Family due to be held in Rome in October. The Catholic bishops of central-south India Andhra Pradesh and Telangana gathered in Hyderabad, with about 100 delegates from 13 dioceses, including priests, nuns and lay leaders. Archbishop Thumma Bala of Hyderabad, underlined the Church’s concern for the family called to be a “domestic church”, recalling the principles of married life affirmed in the Humanae Vitae encyclical, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and in the Instrumentum Laboris sent out to local Churches in preparation for the Synod.
Among those present Thatikonda Rajaiah, a Catholic and vice first minister of the new Indian state of Telangana, said he considered “being a member of the Church a great gift of God”, and he assured his support for the promotion of activities for the development of Telangana.
The meeting included group discussions on the subject of identifying a Catholic community response to help families face new challenges in an increasingly secular culture which tends to marginalise faith and religion. Responses identified included the urgent need to provide care and instruction for Christian families. The family, it was agreed, is the cradle of the calling to educate to life and to the Gospel. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 10/9/2014)
