Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family

Mission Statement

The mission of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family is: 1. To provide a comprehensive understanding of person marriage and family faithful to the Catholic tradition and in light of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and Pope John Paul II and reciprocally to explore the implications of this understanding for the whole of theology and philosophy—all by means of a multidisciplinary education centered in theology and philosophy and integrated in light of John Paul II’s notion of man and woman as an embodied sexually differentiated communion of persons created in the image of God and destined for a state of life; 2. To develop a critical understanding of issues on marriage and family biotechnology and ethics in light of Western/modern assumptions regarding the human person as these bear on the nature and dignity of human life and the transcendental meaning of beauty truth and goodness in a way that fosters a unity of theory and practice at the service of the Church’s “new evangelization”; 3. To offer accredited pontifical degree programs as well as civilly accredited graduate degree programs (master’s license and doctoral-level education); 4. To prepare graduates (laypersons priests and religious) for teaching and research in academic seminary and diocesan contexts; for work in legal medical and other professional occupations; and for evangelization of the family as the foundation for the development of a “culture of life” leading to the creation of a “civilization of love”; and 5. To undertake significant research and publication relative to the contemporary discussion regarding person marriage and family and the implications of the Church’s teachings on these matters for broader problems in theology philosophy and culture.