Naturalny charakter instytucji małżeństwa i rodziny – przemówienie Jana Pawła II do Roty Rzymskiej (1 lutego 2001)

Abstract

In his address delivered this year to the Roman Rota John Paul II presented a picture of the institution of marriage and family in its basic, i.e. natural, form inscribed in human nature. The address can be perceived as a monition to the modem world, in whose mentality and laws the foundations of its very existence and vocation have been lost. Another reflection on natural character of the institution of marriage and family, which is shown today in the light of canon law, is not so much a reminder that ecclesiastical judges have to defend these values in their verdicts as a challenge to the whole community to defend basic values. The subject should be brought up particularly during catechesis and pastoral courses which prepare young generations for marriage and starting a family. Each annual address to the Roman Rota as well as every issue raised in it, whether it refers to substantive law or the rules of the court, is a great event for the whole ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Simultaneously, a great concern John Paul II shows for the Roman Rota Court remains an example for all the bishops who preside over ecclesiastical courts of first and second instances to constantly support this specific and extremely delicate aspect of the activity of the Church, both in local and universal dimension.