At IOR, Couples Embark on Exciting New Journeys After Saying ‘I Do

Angela Bruni

September 5, 2024

On the day of his first official speech before the authorities in Indonesia, in which Pope Francis once again denounced “the laws of death that limit births” underlining how families prefer to have puppies or kittens rather than bring children into the world, news came out of the marriage between two IOR employees and the institution’s constraint that in the event of a marriage one of the two must leave their job.

An incongruity that puts Bergoglio’s diktat in no small difficulty, as he once again takes issue with animals. “You in Indonesia,” said the Holy Father, “have families with 3, 4 or 5 children, and this is fine, continue like this. Perhaps these families prefer to have a cat or a dog, instead of a child. This cannot be okay.”

Yet in the Vatican a different measure is applied, especially if one does not consider that the birth rate crisis is due to economic problems and a lack of services dedicated to early childhood. Yet at the Institute for the Works of Religion, in an internal rule, if an employee marries, one of the two must resign. “The rule recently introduced to regulate the case of marriage between employees represents a clear example of an initiative aimed at filling a legislative gap”, explains the IOR after the case of two young employees getting married has aroused no small amount of controversy, given the forced dismissal of one of the two. The objective “through this rule – they clarify from the IOR – is exclusively to guarantee conditions of equal treatment among all employees during the entire period of service, as well as in the hiring phase with respect to external candidates. Since the Institute brings together just over one hundred employees in a single location, without branches, this rule is in fact fundamental to prevent both inevitable conflicts of interest of a professional nature between the interested aspiring spouses, and the emergence of possible doubts of family management among its customers or the general public”.

However, the charitable spirit is not lacking: «Recognizing that marriage between employees represents a probability consistent with a work environment open to men and women, the Institute has chosen to favor the interest of those who express the intention to marry, inserting in the provision the right for the couple to freely choose which of the two interested parties intends to maintain their role, and therefore accepting the possibility that it is the resource with a more important role who leaves».

Here are some People Also Ask (PAA) related questions for the title **”The Paradox of Organizational Development: Marriage, Employment, and the​ Vatican’s Approach”**:

The Paradox of Organizational Development:‌ Marriage, Employment, and the Vatican’s Approach

In a surprising turn of events, the Vatican’s Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR) has introduced an internal​ rule that requires one of two employees to resign​ if they get married. This decision has sparked controversy and raised questions about the organization’s approach to employee relationships and family management. Meanwhile, Pope Francis has been vocal about the importance of families⁤ having multiple children, emphasizing that it is not acceptable for families to‍ prefer pets over children [[3]].

The IOR’s decision seems​ to contradict the Pope’s stance, as it punishes employees ​for‌ choosing to start a family. The rule ​is justified as a means ⁣to prevent conflicts of ‌interest and ensure equal treatment among employees. However, this approach raises concerns about the organization’s commitment to⁣ supporting its employees’ ‌personal and professional ⁤growth.

Organizational ⁤development is about legitimizing individual differences, providing opportunities for personal growth, and encouraging the actualization of human potential [[2]]. In the context of the IOR’s⁢ rule,⁤ it appears​ that the organization⁢ is prioritizing its own interests over those of its employees. This‍ approach can have negative consequences, such as demotivating employees ​and creating a work environment that is not supportive of their personal and family needs.

Moreover, the IOR’s ​stance on marriage and employment is ⁢at odds with the principles of social media and relationship marketing, which emphasize building strong relationships and fostering a sense of community [[1]]. By penalizing ⁢employees for getting married, the IOR⁤ is creating a sense of isolation and disconnection among‌ its staff.

the ‌IOR’s⁢ approach to marriage and employment reflects a narrow and outdated understanding of organizational‍ development. Instead of punishing employees ⁢for starting a family, the organization should focus on creating a supportive work environment that encourages personal and professional growth. By doing so, the IOR can foster a culture of inclusivity, empathy, and respect for its employees’ ​individual differences.

Recommendations

1. The IOR should​ reconsider its internal rule and⁣ find alternative solutions that support employees’ personal and‍ professional ⁤growth.
2. The organization should prioritize‍ creating ‌a supportive work environment that encourages employees to‌ build strong relationships and start families.
3. The IOR should adopt a more inclusive and empathetic ‌approach to organizational development, recognizing the​ importance of individual differences and personal growth.

By adopting these recommendations, the IOR can create a more positive​ and ‌supportive work environment that benefits both its employees and the organization as ⁤a whole.

Here are some “People Also Ask” (PAA) related questions for the title **The Vatican’s Contradictory Stance on Marriage and Family**:

The Vatican’s Contradictory Stance on Marriage and Family

In a recent speech before the authorities in Indonesia, Pope Francis reiterated his concerns about the declining birth rate, condemning the “laws of death that limit births” and lamenting how some families prefer to have pets instead of children [[3]]. However, this stance raises eyebrows when considering the Vatican’s own policies and recent developments.

At the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR), a peculiar rule dictates that if two employees get married, one of them must resign. This draconian measure has sparked controversy, especially in light of the Pope’s comments about the importance of families and childbirth. The IOR justifies this rule by citing the need to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure equal treatment among employees.

But what about the Catholic Church‘s stance on marriage? According to the Code of Canon Law, “the consent of the parties, legitimately manifested between persons qualified by law, makes marriage; no human power is able to supply this consent” [[1]]. This fundamental principle of Catholic doctrine seems to be at odds with the IOR’s rule, which effectively forces one spouse to abandon their job.

Furthermore, recent news suggests that the Vatican is taking a more liberal approach to blessings for couples. In a landmark ruling approved by Pope Francis, Catholic priests are now allowed to administer blessings to same-sex couples under certain conditions [[2]]. This development raises questions about the consistency of the Vatican’s stance on marriage and family.

The double standard is striking. On one hand, the Pope decries the decline of traditional families and advocates for more children. On the other hand, the IOR enforces a rule that effectively punishes employees for getting married. Meanwhile, the Vatican signals a more accepting attitude towards same-sex couples.

This seeming contradiction highlights the complexities of the Catholic Church’s stance on marriage and family. As the Church grapples with adapting to changing societal norms and values, it is essential to reconcile these contradictions and adopt a more coherent and compassionate approach to marriage and family.

Keywords: Pope Francis, Catholic Church, marriage, family, IOR, same-sex couples, Vatican.