To the Editor:
Did you notice the irony when The Catholic Messenger paired a story about Pope Francis offering guidance to families with a story about the Jubilee of Mercy year (Aug. 6 edition, Page 7)? What irony? That there is no special day in the jubilee year for the family, especially for wives and husbands, mothers and fathers. This in spite of the fact that we are in the midst of a two-year Synod of Bishops on the family. The jubilee schedule includes a Jubilee for Consecrated Life, a Jubilee for Deacons, and a Jubilee for Priests, as well it should. The schedule even includes a Jubilee for the Roman Curia. But the schedule does not include a Jubilee for Wives and Husbands, Mothers and Fathers.
The lack of a Jubilee day for Spouses is a sign as well as a symptom of the way the official church too often and too routinely ignores the vocation of married life. In announcing this Holy Year Pope Francis said, “All of us are called to be merciful and offer consolation to every man and woman of our time.” We experience mercy and learn how to extend mercy first and foremost within the family, especially when we see our parents being merciful to each other. Unfortunately, the official church has once again missed the opportunity to recognize and honor the vocation of married life and to support and strengthen it.
John LePeau
Iowa City
