Pope Francis summoned the world’s cardinals to a pre-consistory gathering at the Vatican this past week and urged them to speak frankly about the challenges facing the Church in its ministry to families. Like many other Christian leaders, he’s extremely concerned that the institution of marriage, in particular, is in deep crisis. He has linked that crisis, at least in part, to the difficulty people have today in making definitive and permanent life choices. That’s why several months ago he ordered the Synod of Bishops to lead a two-year-long process that aims, first, to take the temperature of the situation of family life and the effectiveness of the Church’s ministry and teaching is this regard; and, secondly, to formulate new pastoral guidelines.Those who have be