The presentation of the Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, in its centre of Madrid, whose maintenance, management and direction has been entrusted to UCAM Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia, was held this evening, in the main event room of the Seminar, which was completely filled in by the audience. The Institute, located in Plaza Conde de Barajas (Madrid), began its lessons for the ecclesiastical degrees in Theology of Marriage and Family, and in Sciences of Marriage and Family, as well as for the Diploma in Sciences of Marriage and Family and the registration deadlines are still opened.

Among those who attended the event there were also various bishops, such as the bishop of the Diocese of Cartagena, Monsignor Lorca Planes; the bishop of Ávila, Monsignor Gil Tamayo; and the Archbishop Emeritus of Zaragoza, Monsignor Manuel Ureña.

After the extraordinary synod of bishops that took place in 2014 and especially after the apostolic and post-synodal exhortation ‘Amoris Laetitia’, Pope Francis decided to relaunch the Pontifical John Paul II Institute under the new name ‘Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family’.

José Luis Mendoza, president of UCAM Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia and general administrator of the Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family highlighted, in his speech, that “apart from evangelising and training, we foster employment and entrepreneurship in the poorest countries so that they don’t lack sustenance”. With regard to the pontifical institute, he highlighted that “being loyal to the Pope is very important to us” and he pointed out that UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia is a university to which it is very important to “serve the Church by contributing to its evangelising work”.

Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life and Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Institute, gave the inaugural lecture on the challenges and mission of the Institute, by stating “that this is a unique place in the institutions related to marriage and family”. Paglia stressed that “theology shouldn’t be separated from the pastoral” and it is necessary to create a theological reflection on family.

Cardinal Carlos Osoro, Archbishop of Madrid and vice-grand chancellor of this Institute highlighted, in his speech, that the institute “derives from the boost of the Holy See”, and showed his gratitude to the professionals who participate in the Pontifical Institute; he especially thanked “UCAM, represented by its president, José Luis Mendoza, for putting everything at the service of the Church to turn this project into reality”. Cardinal Osoro thanked Fundación Casa de la Familia Foundation.

Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, prefect of the Congregation of Catholic Education, said in his speech that “we must look with love to the reality of family in its entirety”. Bernardito Auza, the nuncio of His Holiness in Spain, stressed that “family is the basis of society, so it must be a very important part of the pastoral of the Church”.

For his part, Manuel Arroba, dean of the Pontifical Theological Institute, in its centre of Madrid, thanked its students, by stressing that “all the things done in the academic field in these centres are done considering the worries of families”. 

Worldwide dissemination

The aim of the Pontifical Theological Institute is to spread marriage and family sciences throughout the world, in a project that was born with the blessing of Pope Francis. One of the main objectives of the Institute, pursued by treasuring the heritage received, and with the contributions of the new added discipline, as well as with the constant search for dialogue with civil society, is to deepen the new challenges in the family field. This is done by offering an adapted training that answers to the vicissitudes that this institution faces in the current social context. The centre of Madrid is located at a landmark building in Plaza Conde de Barajas.