Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - On 13 May, receiving in audience participants at the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Family, Pope Benedict XVI said: “The family founded on marriage constitutes "heritage of humanity ", a fundamental social institution, the vital nucleus and pillar of society which concerns believers and non. The family is a reality to which every country must give maximum consideration because, as John Paul II said many times, ‘the future of humanity passes by way of the family (Familiaris consortio, 86)”. Referring to the Christian principles with regard to marriage and the family, Pope Benedict XVI recalled that elevated by Christ to the “highest dignity of sacrament … marriage confers greater splendour and profundity on the conjugal bond and calls for greater commitment on the part of husband and wife who, blessed by the Lord of the Covenant, promise to be faithful until death in love open to life. For them, the heart and centre of the family is the Lord who accompanies them in their union and sustains them in their mission to educate children to adulthood”.
In the present day sad to say we see a diffusion of equivocal concepts on these themes but, the Pope said, “we must never tire of affirming the truth with regard to the institution of the family as willed by God from the moment of creation”. In the face of numerous threats to the stability of the family “often it is necessary to go against the prevailing culture and this calls for patience, effort, sacrifice and incessant searching for mutual understanding. However even today it is possible for married couples to overcome difficulties and remain faithful to their vocation by asking God’s help in prayer and frequent participation in the sacraments, the Eucharist in particular”. The Pope then called attention to another sensitive question, respect for the human embryo, “always the fruit of an act of love to be treated as a person. Progress in science and technology in the field of bio-ethics becomes a threat when man loses sight of his limits and, in practice, thinks he can take the place of God the Creator”. The Encyclical Humanae vitae clearly states that human procreation must always be the fruit of the conjugal act with its twofold unitive and procreative significance. “At this point in history- the Holy Father said - Christian families are called to bear witness with courageous consistency that procreation is a fruit of love. This testimony will not fail to stimulate politicians and legislators to safeguard the rights of the family. It is known that juridical solutions for "unions outside of marriage" are gaining credit. These unions while rejecting the obligations of marriage demand to enjoy the same rights. At times, moreover, there are people who want a new definition of marriage in order to legalise homosexual unions giving them also the right to adopt children.”
In the last part of his address the Pope spoke about the ageing population in vast areas of the world - considered a sort of "demographic winter" - and he urged those present to restore the confidence of families “so they may continue their noble mission to procreate in love”. He then expressed gratitude to the Pontifical Council for the Family for striving to dialogue with those with political and legislative responsibility with regard to these questions and to offer courses for family pastoral workers in local Churches. “I take this opportunity to repeat the call to diocesan communities to participate with delegations in the 5th World Meeting of Families in July in Valencia, in Spain, at which, God willing, I will have to joy of taking part myself”. The Pope then imparted his blessing on all present and on all families “that they may continue to model their homes on the example of the Holy Family of Nazareth”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 15/5/2006 - righe 44; parole 615)
