https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/41958 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 03:45:11 GMT 2026-04-13T03:45:11Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/15318 Title: The Orthodox tradition on divorced and remarried faithful : what can the Catholic Church learn? Authors: Schembri, Kevin Abstract: The article explores whether the Catholic Church can learn anything from the Orthodox tradition on the experience of the divorced and remarried faithful, in three steps: firstly, it outlines the progress of Catholic interest over the last few decades in the Orthodox approach to divorce and remarriage; secondly, it presents the main features of this approach against the broader context of the Orthodox world; and thirdly, it points out five aspects of the Orthodox practice that may prompt the Catholic Church to deepen its own reflection on the pastoral challenges of marriage and the family. Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/15318 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/15313 Title: The spirituality of marriage after the second Vatican Council Authors: Lintner, Martin M. Abstract: Theological reflection on a spirituality of marriage needs “confidential conversations with those who [are] immediately affected, that is to say, with committed married couples.” This prevents reflecting theologians from idealizing marriage as well as from being divorced from the reality of everyday marital life. The following reflections made by the author of this paper, who as a religious priest follows a celibate life, have been nourished by many conversations with married couples. The personal reflections of married faithful in the light of faith are a genuine source of moral knowledge; and supplement reflections on an abstract essence or nature. Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/15313 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/15312 Title: 'A conversion … in the language we use' Authors: Pace, Paul; Delicata, Nadia Abstract: Pope Francis’ challenge to seek and find an adequate pastoral response to new family situations needs to be taken up boldly. There is no doubt that an important way of doing this is to reflect on the way we, as Church, consider family issues ad intra, but we also need to look at how we seek to communicate truths about the family with and to the world. Is the “Gospel of the Family” offering hope and joy to those in the fold who are struggling with complex family situations? Is it encouraging the conversion of those often deemed to be on the “margins” of the Church? Is our message about family life persuasive – in particular, in our case, in a strongly secularist European context? Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/15312 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/15306 Title: Sensus Fidei and Sensus Fidelium in a marriage debate Authors: Brenninkmeijer-Werhahn, Aldegonde Abstract: Men and women today express themselves quite differently than ever in the past. Marriages nowadays exist on the basis of diverse kinds of unions. They fall under varying categories, different ways of experiencing a shared life, and different challenges involved in raising children responsibly. Every marriage union starts with the genuine desire and hope that spousal love is the most beautiful thing one can attain in earthly life. Every couple nourishes high expectations of mutual support and help in their personal development. They are also happy of experiencing companionship, and of sharing each other’s joys, problems and sorrows. But what are the tools that can help marriage and family develop these expectations in society and politics? Are not the leaders of society and politics themselves also married people? What are the instruments available to the Church today to assist her in preparing couples for marriage in a changing world? And above all, how can a community of married people help couples and their family attain the fulfillment of at least their basic aspirations? Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/15306 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z