The Committee on Marriage and Family Life was established in 1987 to assist the Bishops' Conference to respond to contemporary issues facing marriage and family life. It does so by undertaking educational and pastoral initiatives in collaboration with the Pontifical Council for the Family, other Conference committees, diocesan and parish leadership networks, and ecclesial movements, national groups and organizations. Its efforts are directed by the vision expressed in Gaudium et Spes, Pope John Paul II’s Familiaris Consortio, and the U.S. Bishops’ Plan of Pastoral Action for Family Ministry (1978), A Family Perspective in Church and Society (1988) and Follow the Way of Love (1994).

Below see “What’s New!” with the Committee on Marriage and Family. To find out more information on committee members, advisors, and staff, ongoing projects and topics, publications and resources, please go to drop-down menu of Marriage and Family on the left.

What's New

	National Pastoral Initiative on Marriage In November 2004 the Bishops voted to begin a multi - year, broadly - based collaborative effort to promote, preserve, and protect marriage - understood as both a sacramental reality and a human institution. For Your Marriage Website Launched! Diocesan Bishops Pastoral Letters on Marriage Dialogue of Social Scientists & Theologians Diocesan Marriage Preparation Policies Diocesan Focus Groups Consultation on the Practice of Marriage Preparation The National Pastoral Initiative on Marriage: Six Next Steps by Bishop Joseph E. Kurtz Report on Consultations on Marriage and Church Ministries with Canonists and Tribunal Officials "Making a Case for Marriage": Topics and Talking Points Taking the Initiative for Marriage by H. Richard McCord Theological Colloquium on the Sacramentality of Marriage The National Pastoral Initiative on Marriage: First Year Report - The National Pastoral Initiative on Marriage: Second Year Report Consultation on Sustaining and Enriching Marriages NPIM Questions and Answers Focus Groups with Priests
	"The State of Our Unions": The National Marriage Project at Rutgers University publishes yearly reports on different aspects of marriage and family life. Frequent questions and answers about marriage Information about Same Sex Unions 10 FAQs about Marriage and Same Sex Unions
	Fifth World Meeting of the Families The Fifth World Meeting of Families (WMF) took place in Valencia, Spain, July 1-9, 2006. Pope Benedict XVI's address during the prayer vigil may be found here. His homily for the concluding mass may be found here.
	Click here to access the order form to order family prayer cards. Families Mothers Fathers

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