Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
San Jose (Agenzia Fides) – At least 100,000 people participated in the March for the Family held on August 31, 2008 in the Archdiocese of San Jose (Costa Rica), where marchers gathered at 8:30am to begin making their way down Paseo Colon and Avenida Segunda holding messages in favor of the family. The march was led by Archbishop Hugo Barrantes Ureña, who used the Word of God to shed light on the various difficulties facing couples and families.
At the end of the March, the Archbishop celebrated a Mass in the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Jose. In his homily, he mentioned that “the family is one of the most valuable gifts God has given humanity. We are convinced that there is no substitute for the family. The family is the first school of virtues that every society needs.” He also explained that “in order for a society to progress, the family must continue existing.” He reminded parents that they are, by primordial right, the first educators of their children, and that they “should educate them according to their moral and religious beliefs.” During his homily, the Archbishop of Costa Rica mentioned 5 draft bills that present a threat to the family as based upon marriage between a man and a woman; and to the freedom of parents to decide on the education of their children, in accord with their own beliefs. In response to these bills, he said, Catholic lawmakers should express their firm disapproval.
The first bill is #16182, a reform on the Law on the Family, which refers to the recognition of unmarried partners. The second bill is #16390, which has to do with a proposal to legalize civil “marriages” between persons of the same sex and grant them the same rights as a heterosexual marriage.
The third bill is #16687, which is a reform on the general health law to include sexual and reproductive rights. The Archbishop said that “the bill divorces sexuality from human reproduction and establishes every single person as the absolute lord over his own body.” The forth bill is #16970 and is a law that seeks to “normalize” certain lifestyles that go against Christian values. Lastly, #16978 is a bill that would reform the Penal Code, increasing the punishment for discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
The Archbishop is also concerned about a Social Security Manual published in Costa Rica, entitled “Sexuality and Sexual Health” on AIDS prevention for adolescents, which is intended for children from 10 years of age to adolescents of 19 years of age and in which “concepts and practices which are inconvenient from every perspective, during this period of maturation, are presented. Moreover, parents are never asked for their opinion on the subject.”
“The common denominator in these draft bills is ‘sexual rights,’” the Archbishop said. “And with this term, they wish to impose a view of the person that is reduced to the erotic, without any mention of the love of ‘agape.’”
In response to this situation, Archbishop Barrantes has asked that “the Catholic members of our legislative body may act in fidelity to their conscience and not approve laws that go against life, marriage, and the family.”
“What Costa Rica do we hope to pass on to future generations?,” he said. “May we wake up in time, before it’s too late!” With this, he asked for an increased dialogue and strategies to make the Catholic voice be heard within the rights they hold. Archbishop Barrantes’ final exhortation was: “The family is a treasure. We have to protect it!” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 3/9/2008)
