Relational Health in Family Bonds in the Context of the Family Global Compact

Relational health in family bonds is today a central concern in the humanities, social sciences, and theology.

In Issue No. 10 of the journal Quaderns de Polítiques Familiars. Journal of Family Policies, Prof. Gabriella Gambino, Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life, addresses in an article titled “Relational Health in Family Bonds in the Context of the Family Global Compact,” the concept of relational health not merely as the absence of conflict or dysfunction, but as the capacity of family bonds to foster personal growth, emotional stability, and openness toward others, thereby contributing to the building of more just and cohesive communities.

From this perspective, the family is seen not only as a vulnerable sphere but as an indispensable agent of social transformation. This proposal is in line with the principles of the Family Global Compact, which since 2023 has emphasized the structural role of the family in social well-being and the need to coordinate a joint response among academic research, pastoral action, and public policy. Caring for family ties, therefore, goes beyond the private sphere to become a collective responsibility.

Issue No. 10 of the journal Quaderns de Polítiques Familiars – Journal of Family Policies features a selection of papers presented during the International Congress “Relational Health in Family Bonds,” held in June 2024 at the Anáhuac University in Mexico, under the patronage of the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life.

Among the presentations, in addition to that of Prof. Gambino, was one by Dr. Leonardo Nepi, an official of the Dicastery, on the topic “The Holy See’s Commitment to Promoting Intergenerational Solidarity.”

The Congress served as an important academic and professional gathering on the theme of the family and was aimed in particular at member institutions of REDIUF (Network of University Institutes for the Family) and REDIFAM (Network of Family Institutes of Latin America).