Vatican study day to explore marriage faith and Church teaching mission
The Vatican will host a dedicated study day on April 28, 2026, focusing on the relationship between the sacrament of marriage, faith formation, and the Church’s teaching mission, known as the munus docendi. The event is being organised by the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life and will take place at the Casina Pio IV within Vatican City. It will bring together Church leaders, academics, and formation experts to reflect on how the Church can respond to evolving pastoral needs in contemporary society, particularly in the areas of marriage preparation and family life.
The meeting will gather around 75 invited participants from various Dicasteries of the Roman Curia as well as from seminaries and priestly formation institutions. These include rectors, lecturers, and educators who play a central role in shaping future priests and pastoral workers. The Vatican has highlighted that the initiative is rooted in the growing need to strengthen the connection between theological teaching, lived faith, and pastoral care, especially in relation to the family as a core element of Christian life.
The study day will open with an introduction delivered by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life. This will be followed by key academic contributions from Fr Andrea Bozzolo, Rector of the Pontifical Salesian University, and Fr Fabio Rosini, a biblical scholar and professor of homiletics and pastoral theology at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. Their presentations are expected to examine both theological foundations and practical approaches to accompanying couples and families within the life of the Church.
Discussions during the event will conclude in the early afternoon, with a scheduled ending at 1:30 p.m., followed by a period of dialogue among participants. This exchange is intended to deepen understanding of how pastoral formation can better respond to the realities faced by young people, engaged couples, and married couples in a rapidly changing cultural environment, where traditional family structures and faith practices are often challenged by modern social dynamics.
According to the Dicastery, the study day is designed to encourage reflection on how the Church can more effectively form ministers and pastoral workers who are equipped not only with theological knowledge but also with the practical skills needed to accompany individuals and families on their faith journey. It also emphasizes the importance of developing a more integrated approach between doctrine, pastoral practice, and human experience, ensuring that the Church remains close to people at every stage of family life.
