What's the word for 'beyond hubris'? What a horrible thing to say, that the laity have the "thumbs up" from the Church to make decisions in their own lives. Are the Gospels missing from all Bibles of those who serve the Church? Deciding to allow the Lord into our hearts and lives is THE basis for faith. And it goes without saying that adults are always free to make their own choices. Kinda creepy that the Holy Father would have to remind "us" of that. Maybe it's a good thing he did, I would laugh in the face of any person who said such a ridiculous thing to me. And I could imagine that might be embarrassing or cause anger in some folks.