Washington D.C., Aug 17, 2009 / 16:23 pm
Pope Benedict XVI’s thoughts on the family have been collected in a new volume from the publishing arm of the U.S. bishops. Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, who heads up the bishops' effort to promote marriage, praised the volume as a ‘consistent defense’ of family and marriage.
The volume is a part of the “Pope Benedict XVI – Spiritual Thoughts Series,” and is simply titled “Family.”
According to a USCCB press release, the new book collects the Pope’s “strong teaching and witness to the unique value and truth of marriage and the family” all in one place.
Pope Benedict addresses the range of Catholic teaching on marriage and focuses on the unique nature of marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, who chairs the USCCB’s Ad Hoc Committee for the Defense of Marriage, expressed gratitude for the Pope’s support for families.
“Our Holy Father has modeled for us a consistent defense of the family founded on marriage as the permanent and exclusive union of one man and one woman. His witness is a call and encouragement for all of us to stand for the truth and beauty of marriage and family and the intrinsic dignity of every person.”
One recent example of the importance of the Pope's teaching on marriage comes from the Knights of Columbus' 2009 convention. The Knights cited Pope Benedict twice in their August 5 resolution to support bishops’ conferences in protecting and promoting the true nature of marriage.
Archbishop Kurtz commented on this resolution, saying “We are deeply grateful for the generous support of the Knights in standing for the sanctity of all human life and of marriage and the family. This resolution is an affirmation of the significant work that the Knights have undertaken in this country and abroad.”
Copies of “Family” cost $6.95 each and may be obtained from USCCB Publishing at the website http://www.usccbpublishing.org.