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To: All Priests
From: Monsignor Jim Schillinger, Director, Ongoing Formation of Priests
With the promulgation of the Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, we as a presbyterate have been faced with responding to an increasing interest in the way the Church handles marriage, particularly with regards to its relationship with divorced Catholics. On April 20th, we will welcome Father Francis Morrisey, OMI, who will speak to us about the pastoral implications of Amoris Laetitia and its implementation as we seek to minister to those who face difficult marriage situations.
Father Francis Morrisey is a globally renowned canon lawyer, especially cited for his deeply pastoral approach to the challenges and pitfalls in implementing canon law. He has served as the Dean of the Faculty of Canon Law at St. Paul University in Ottawa, where he remains as professor emeritus. In 2014, Pope Francis appointed Father Morrisey to the Special Commission for the Study of the Reform of the Matrimonial Processes in Canon Law. The Commission’s work on reforming the annulment process was foundational for Pope Francis’ Exhortation.
If you do marriage preparation or counsel couples in your ministry, and if your parish community includes members who are divorced or experiencing difficulties in their marriage, this day will be a very good investment of your time. I hope you will plan to be with us.
We will meet on Thursday, April 20th from 10:30 a.m.- 3:00 p.m., at the Chancery. Lunch will be served. To RSVP, please contact Jayna Hoffacker at jhoffacker@archatl.com or 404-636-1418, ext. 226.