Catholic News Service

Responding to editors' requests for a regular sampling of current commentary from around the Catholic press, here is an unsigned editorial titled: "Overcoming moral obesity" from the Oct. 8 issue of the St. Louis Review, newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

Here is a sample of what the Vatican is up against as the Synod of Bishops on the family meets in Rome this month. Consider these statistics in the United States regarding marriage and family:

-- More than 40 percent of children are born outside of marriage.

-- The percentage of men and women who don't marry has doubled in the past 50 years.

-- One out of three babies born today has one parent in the household.

Is this surprising? No. Should we be concerned? Absolutely.

But why is it happening? The answer lies in relativism, so pervasive in our culture. You know, the idea that anything goes. Do what you want, when you want. We feed off of instant gratification, what makes us feel good. And we're becoming morally obese because of it. The evidence can be found in a skyrocketing divorce rate; the increase in cohabiting couples; and the number of children born outside of marriage, which is becoming more common.

The Synod of Bishops convened to discuss the "challenges of marriage, of family life, of the education of children and the role of the family in the life of the church." They will be challenged as they face how to raise awareness of the positive benefits of marriage, the impact divorce has on children and other issues that affect the family.

Pope Francis, who has spoken out against the problem of relativism, is aware of these challenges. Marriage is viewed as a form of emotional satisfaction, he said, rather than a sacrament, a covenant between God, man and woman. But he also knows the importance of God's mercy and teaching that to others.

But Pope Francis is telling us not to approach the situation by insisting the other person is a sinner. First, we must admit to our own sins, and from personal experience, share that it is possible to receive God's mercy.

That kind of approach was evident in the Holy Father's interview with Jesuit Father Antonio Spadaro, editor in chief of La Civilta Cattolica, the Italian Jesuit journal. When asked "who is Jorge Mario Bergoglio?" Pope Francis responded, "I am a sinner, but I trust in the infinite mercy and patience of our Lord Jesus Christ, and I accept in a spirit of penance."

Repeat those words: Infinite mercy. Patience of our Lord. Wow. God did not have to make it this way. But he has, and we should look upon that as a gift.

Our culture is desperate. We're screaming out for help, wondering why our world has turned out the way it has. God is listening. We need to respond to him.

The views or positions presented in this or any guest editorial are those of the individual publication and do not necessarily represent the views of Catholic News Service or of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.