„Amoris laetitia” wyzwaniem dla duszpasterzy wobec osób żyjących w związkach
‟Amoris laetitia” as a challenge to priests towards people living in non-sacramental relationships

Summary/Abstract: In Holy Father Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation Amoris laetitia the idea of contemporary married couples facing up problems is clearly visible. What is underlined is the issue of accompanying the people in their everyday hardships. The Pope emphasizes that the matter of couples living in non-sacramental relationships is difficult for the Church. In his teaching Francis highlights and encourages to talk with those, whose life situation is inappropriate.He encourages priests to introduce those people to good that flows from the Gospel, so they could live according to and feed on God’s Word. In such situations a lot of patience and careis needed to unite those human beings both with their loving God and the joy that derives from the Gospel. The amount of civil divorces has been growing lately, which, consequently, leads toincreasing number of cohabitations, such as partnerships and non-sacramental relationships. This problem was already noticed by the Pope Paul VI in his Humanae vitae Encyclical, where he encouraged priests to create ministries connected to families, which was supposed to improve the conditions of this social group. Furthermore, one cannot imagine the suffering of such people, whose situation is improper to the church’s teaching. The Church Community, following evangelical requirements, cares about spreading the neighbourly love to such people, following Jesus’ teaching mentioned in the Bible (cf. Mt 22,39). Every christened person is brother and sister in faith. It is worth introducing into pastoral care different means of helping those people feel included in community of faith. Pastoral discernment is imperative in determining their participation in liturgical and prayer life. There is a need to provide conditions, in which they do not feel separated or excluded from the Church, but let them feel that Church is their mother who wishes to care for them and support them in their Bible-based life (cf. AL 299). All christenedpeople belong to one community believing in Jesus Christ. That is why the Pope Francis in his teaching states very clearly the importance of accompanying those Church members. Immense pastoral care is a great impulse for those who are lost in their life situations and are not able to find the way out on their own.

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