Folia Theologica et Canonica 4. 26/18 (2015)
RECENSIONS
RECENSIONS 285 every family to solve the arising problems, reflecting always to the teaching of the Gospels (pp. 105-112); furthermore, the author summarizes the message of the Holy Family’s witness in the authentic imitation of Christ for the faithful parents (pp. 113-120) and in this imitation takes place the staying in God’s House as an exclusive place, like the prayerful life and frequented receiving the sacraments (p. 120). Based on these arguments Card. Rouco Varela rightly calls the "house” of Nazareth as the rock-basis of the family (pp. 121-130), which is also called insoluble community of love (pp. 131-138) in exclusive relation to the perfect love, built on the initiative of the Creator (pp. 139-146). Card. Rouco speaks also about the obligatory transmission of the teaching of the Gospels through the life-example of Christian families (pp. 147-204). This concept touches already the special mission of the Christian family-ideal within the society (pp. 165-198) which is expressed by the mutual love and by active contributions in the day-to-day life of the Church. It appears in the life-sanctifying acts through the receiving the sacraments and sacramental, but also by the unconditional loyalty toward the parents and in the same time expressing unique love toward the children, teaching them for the authentic faith and prayers. It is really the “school of soul” which protects the original community of the family. It shows indeed the special responsibility for youth by the former generation in the daily life of family (pp. 199-204). Cardinal-Archbishop Emeritus of Madrid in the last chapter analyzes the most comprehensive problem of our time which makes the strongest influence on the institution of family within the society: those appearances which have been caused by the postmodern states in the social, legal and cultural fields. These new “categories” can tousle those family-communities which are not firm as a rock (pp. 205-241). Card. Antonio Maria Rouco Varela crystal-clear argumentation which lays on a long and wide pastoral experience describes well the pure teaching of the Church and gives an authentic interpretation on the Christian family-idea, based on the Gospels. The author knows very well that this is that idea which disappears gradually from the civil society by the tendency of secularization. Nevertheless, the Cardinal builds on the faithful life of the family and through that gives an alternative solution: it cannot be the change of the Church’s teaching, but the constant and stable preserving that truth what we have learned from the Divine revelation. Szabolcs Anzelm Szuromi, O.Praem.
