VATICAN - The Pope addresses European Symposium of University Docents: “The family is the future of Europe. We can say that the family is the mirror of society and therefore also of the new Europe which is being built ”

Vatican City (Fides Service) - “The family is the future of Europe. We can say that the family is the mirror of society and therefore also of the new Europe which is being built. The evolution of the family is and will continue to be the most important detector of the Continent’s cultural and institutional development. It is therefore opportune for universities, and in particular Christian docents, to follow family dynamics with attention, promoting responsible and conscious reflection among the new generations.” This recommendation was made by Pope John Paul II when he received in a special audience participants at a European Symposium of University Docents on the theme "The Family in Europe", taking place in Rome 24 to 27 June.
“In the first millennium the encounter between Roman law and the Christian message - the Pope said in his address - resulted in what we might call the European model of the family later diffused on a large scale in the Americas and in Oceania.... Halfway through the last century in communities most socially and economically developed there emerged in a devastating manner phenomena symptomatic with a profound crisis, the consequences of which are today before our eyes. In the face of such a crisis the family has always been an element of cohesion and force and, even when harshly contested, it remained the object of aspirations, desires, project and nostalgia.”
The most important point, the Pope said, is a question: “Today may we still speak of a model of family?”. The Church is convinced that “in the present day context it is more than ever necessary to reaffirm the institutions of marriage and the family as realities deriving from the will and wisdom of God and which fully reveal their significance and value within His plan of creation and salvation. For this purpose, besides special pastoral initiatives, also highly significant is the role of those who operate in the field of culture and scientific research where the method is that of dialogue and comparison between different disciplines interested in matters regarding the family.” The Pope concluded expressing the hope that the European Symposium would “contribute to ensure that in Europe of today and tomorrow the family may adequately play the role proper to its lofty dignity”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 26/6/2004 - Righe 25; Parole 369)