Moral theological problems of a pluralistic society after Amoris laetitia: the example of Upper Silesia

Konrad Józef Glombik

Faculty of Theology of the University of Opole
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8461-965X

Abstract

The post-synodal exhortation about love in the family Amoris laetitia is fruit and inspiration for a deeper reflexion on the complex problems of marriage and family life. In theology this reflexion should be faithful to the tradition of the church and compactly connected with reality. It means the unanimity of the teaching and the understanding of modern marriage and family. It is also concerned with activities connected with research of specific pastoral solutions in this respect, and does not rule out a variety of different interpretations of some aspects of marriage or some of the consequences which follow from them. Insomuch as there are a variety of traditions and challenges in the particular countries and regions, Pope Francis demands research in solutions more closely connected with enculturation and sensitive towards variety. The subject of the present paper are moral theological problems that arise in connection with the document Amoris laetitia in a pluralistic society, of which an example is Upper Silesia. The characteristics of this region, connected with the penetration of the influences of Polish, German and Czech culture causes, that life, residency, work and the mentality of Silesian residences are not homogenous, but complex due to the point of contact between cultures. It is a special challenge for the Church and its message. The local church of Opole Silesia acknowledged that sensitivity be given to the cultural variety of its believers and confirmed it had the capacity to meet the challenges connected with it. One of them is the care for marriage and family today. Actually there are two especially complex questions: the living together before marriage and the situation of divorced people, whom live in second partnerships. Those questions are a large part of important pastoral challenges in a pluralistic society, in this case in Upper Silesia, and some new solutions to them are suggested in Amoris laetitia. The present article compares a variety of theological depictions and pastoral solutions to this problem in Poland and in Germany and shows new possible approaches and moral theological and pastoral dilemmas, which in this field are connected with statements included in Amoris laetitia the post-synodal exhortation of Pope Francis.