His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias, the Archbishop of Mumbai, while addressing 300 priests at the diocesan seminary on the occasion of Clergy Day urged them to be open to life. His Eminence Cardinal noted the importance of Paul VI’s encyclical Humanae Vitae, issued 50 years ago, on 29 July 1968. He also urged priests to help couples prepare “to embrace the sacred call to a sacramental marriage”.
As reported by Asianews.it, His Eminence Cardinal Gracias remarked that “Humanae Vitae is a great gift to the Church. It proclaims the inalienable and inviolable Christian values of life, marriage and the family. Fifty years ago, by issuing his encyclical Humanae vitae, Blessed Paul VI reaffirmed these timeless truths. The encyclical is a great gift to everyone. Be open to life. Be open to life, be pioneers of the new civilisation of love. We should invest more in marriage preparation, prepare couples for marriage and enrich the marriages of those already married. There are many couples who seek the truth about what the Church teaches and they embrace the sacred call to sacramental marriage.” Further, His Eminence added, “Today I see the consequences of diminishing respect for men for women and the breaking of healthy family relationships. Therefore, be open to life, through our service to the poorest of the poor, to those in our urban ghettoes, to families struggling with alcoholism and joblessness, to the destitute and the abandoned. The Catholic Church, in the archdiocese of Mumbai and India, stands unwavering and firm in her decision to embrace and uphold life, as well as embrace, nurture, defend and uplift the gift of life, every life.”
His Eminence Cardinal Gracias concluded his remarks by inviting the faithful to celebrate St. John Vianney’s feast “August 3rd, the first Friday of the month, is the day before Saint Jean-Marie Maria Vianney. I invite you to spend an hour in personal adoration, prayerfully reflecting upon this encyclical, Humanae Vitae, and be open to life.”
Source: www.asianews.it
