Feast of the Holy Family

28 December 2003

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ

Traditionally on the Feast of the Holy Family we reflect on the life of Mary, Joseph and Jesus and how they relate to one another. It is easy to fall into the trap of seeing the Holy Family as the cosy and perfect family. In reality there was little that was cosy about it. From the outset of their relationship, Joseph had to take the step in faith to stand by Mary who was expecting a child before they were married. Before the birth they had to make the long and arduous journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem resulting in the birth of the baby in less than ideal circumstances. There followed the flight from Herod. The family knew what it was like to be refugees, fleeing from their homeland so that they could escape oppression and became dependant on others. Later in life the parents discovered they were missing their son. Today when we hear of a child missing, we fear the worst. Joseph and Mary found Jesus in the Temple listening to the doctors of the Law and asking them questions. They were overcome when they found Jesus and perhaps even more perplexed at what sounded a rather indifferent response by Jesus to their concerns.

Both Mary and Jesus knew the death of Joseph, mourning someone whom they loved very much. Mary was later to have her heart pierced again as she stood at the foot of the cross watching her son being cruelly executed. Yet in all this she believed in the presence and goodness of God. She believed that the promises made to her by God would be fulfilled.

The Feast of the Holy Family is part of the Christmas celebration when we proclaim that for us and for all people the Saviour has been born. He comes to save us from all that could harm or endanger us in our relationship with God, one another and the whole of creation and who enables us to be alive.

The family is important for the life of the Church and society. All of us belong to families and through those relationships we are in many ways the people who we are today. The family is the place where we usually learn to love, to forgive and for many of us is where we first come to believe in God. But family life is not always easy and in some ways is under attack. Family life needs to be supported and encouraged. Within the family there is great potential for the growth of individual members to become mature and gifted human beings, but there is also the possibility of people hurting one another at a very deep level. Family relationships, like all relationships, need the hope and promise of a Saviour who comes to redeem what is lost.

This coming year – 2004 – is the tenth anniversary of the United Nations 'Year of the Family' and twelve years since the Pope's letter to families – Familiaris Consortio. Since then much has changed within our society in regard to marriage and family life. There have been and continue to be many successful and life giving marriages. But there also continues to be many marriages that end in separation and divorce. We have one of the highest divorce rates in Europe. There has been an increase in a number of single parent families. Marriage itself as a relationship has been questioned and parenthood is no longer understood by many as the fruit of a loving relationship between a woman and a man.

The Bishops of England and Wales recognise the need to support family life. A series of discussions will be starting in every diocese and parish to listen to what families have to say about how they can best be affirmed and helped. I invite you all to participate in these discussions in the issues that affect family life. I ask you to listen to one another without judgement or condemnation. We need to be aware of how family life is lived in many different ways and to ask how the Church can best care, support and nourish all family members. I have asked Deacon John Proctor to coordinate these discussions in our diocese and you should receive material from him which will enable the discussions to take place. There will be a diocesan gathering concerning Family Life on Saturday 5 June 2004 at St Augustine's School, Trowbridge to which representatives from deaneries will be invited as well as representatives from the various organisations within the diocese that support family life. What emerges from all of this will hopefully point us forward to the best way in which we can encourage and sustain the vocation of marriage.

The Church is often referred to as a family. Through baptism we become brothers and sisters to one another. We recognise our common vocation to be disciples of Christ, supporting one another in good times and bad as we journey in life towards knowing how much we are loved by God – the God who calls us from sorrow to joy from darkness into light, from death to resurrection. Though we know many deaths in our relationships in life, may we know many resurrections and be a people of hope.

With my best wishes and prayers
Bishop of Clifton

To be read and made available in all Churches and Chapels in the Diocese on the Feast of the Holy Family, Sunday 28 December 2003