In Frank Bruni’s article “What Family Really Means” he argues that the Catholic Church does not know the definition and the true essence of family. Frank believes a“family is a troop that marches across the messy, majestic landscape of life with greater strength than any lone individual can muster” (Bruni). In other words, a family sticks together no matter their culture, religion or sexual preference. I corroborate his argument because I believe as a Catholic myself that the Church doesn’t adapt or attends to its members’ beliefs. For example, Bruni states from a survey made by Pew Research Center that “more than 80 percent were O.K. with divorced parents, single parents or unmarried parents living together. He emphasizes by saying that “only one in five believes that it’s sinful to get a divorce”. On the other hand, the Church is “still stuck in the past” (Bruni).
One of the most controversial issues currently is gay rights. Furthermore, in this generation, families are starting to be composed of same sex parents. Even though same sex marriage is legal, many Catholics do not support this law. Or do they? Even though the Church is against same sex parents, not all Catholics are. To confirm this, Frank Bruni reports that “more than 65 percent were O.K. with gay or lesbian parents.” It is evident that Catholics are contradicting Church beliefs. The main reason for this is because Bishops “often seem more interested in dictating the parameters of sex than in celebrating the boundlessness of love” (Bruni). I definitely agree with this because a family doesn’t have to consist of biological parents or opposite sex. I believe that a family consists of love, trust and commitment.
One of the most controversial issues currently is gay rights. Furthermore, in this generation, families are starting to be composed of same sex parents. Even though same sex marriage is legal, many Catholics do not support this law. Or do they? Even though the Church is against same sex parents, not all Catholics are. To confirm this, Frank Bruni reports that “more than 65 percent were O.K. with gay or lesbian parents.” It is evident that Catholics are contradicting Church beliefs. The main reason for this is because Bishops “often seem more interested in dictating the parameters of sex than in celebrating the boundlessness of love” (Bruni). I definitely agree with this because a family doesn’t have to consist of biological parents or opposite sex. I believe that a family consists of love, trust and commitment.
In conclusion, I think it is time for the Church to relinquish the past. There should be no barriers or standards that separate the value of love and family. As a Catholic, I believe that if the Church would just listen to its members, this would lead to a more united and strong community. The Catholic Church says that we are a family. However, how can a church be a family if its own members don’t agree with its rules? I’m not saying that the Church should change every single aspect of it. However, there is nothing wrong with change and there’s always room for improvement. Based on all the evidence shown, it is clear that Frank Bruni’s argument not only is valid but correct. A family is not given, and it is not composed of a mom and a dad. It is constructed by years of dedication, love, loyalty, affection, etc. That is what Frank Bruni beautifully conveys in his article and that is the true essence of a family.
Works Cited
Bruni, Frank. What Family Really Means. New York: The New York Times , 24 October 2015.
"Different Types of Family Structure | Willows Sociology Revision | Families, Definitions and Classroom." Pinterest. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Oct. 2015.
Pew Research Center. "Catholic Beliefs About Sin | Pew Research Center." Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project. N.p., 2 Sept. 2015. Web. 30 Oct. 2015.
"Ted Geoghegan on Twitter: "This Handy Graphic Very Succinctly Explains the Different Kinds of Families. Let It Not Be Forgotten. Http://t.co/vKu3nTlWQL"." Twitter. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Oct. 2015.
Bruni, Frank. What Family Really Means. New York: The New York Times , 24 October 2015.
"Different Types of Family Structure | Willows Sociology Revision | Families, Definitions and Classroom." Pinterest. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Oct. 2015.
Pew Research Center. "Catholic Beliefs About Sin | Pew Research Center." Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project. N.p., 2 Sept. 2015. Web. 30 Oct. 2015.
"Ted Geoghegan on Twitter: "This Handy Graphic Very Succinctly Explains the Different Kinds of Families. Let It Not Be Forgotten. Http://t.co/vKu3nTlWQL"." Twitter. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Oct. 2015.