AMERICA/CHILE - Thousands take part in Pro Life and the Family March: many new laws have impoverished families and marriage and wormed their way into the conscience of the younger members of society

Santiago de Chile (Agenzia Fides) - Thousands of people said “Yes” to life and the family on Saturday October 6 taking part the Pro Life and the Family March organised by the Santiago de Chile diocesan Commission for the Family: the enthusiastic crowds proclaimed the family the patrimony of humanity. The March made its way to Maipú Marian Shrine for a Mass presided by Auxiliary Bishop of Santiago Bishop Fernando Chomali, who asked God to bless the families of Chile. In his homily the Bishop expressed deep concern for the fact that “ certain sectors of society fail to recognise the original truth present in the family … not to recognise that marriage exists only between a man and a woman, because it is in that context that complementarity and openness to life are achieved, is a mistake and denies the value and deepest meaning of marriage inscribed in the human heart". Moreover “ many new laws have impoverished families and marriage and wormed their way into the consciences of many, especially the younger members of society".
The Bishop recalled that "no one can deny the right of every child to be conceived, carried in the womb and educated by its own parents, mother and father, a woman and a man ". But this right is denied to every child "born through artificial insemination... or aborted... or adopted by couples the same sex". Bishop Chomali called on Catholics "to make every effort to demonstrate to society that marriage and the family are good news. We must show that a just and peaceful society is built by just and peace loving people and the family is the cradle par excellence for this to happen".
The Santiago diocesan Family Commission says the birth rate in Chile has dropped steadily to reach the rate of population replacement. Besides the falling numbers, the greatest concern is that families and societies without children deprive themselves of love and an important part of the essence of the human being. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 9/10/2007; righe 24, parole 352)