EUROPE/PORTUGAL - Open Letter on The Family and Life addressed the Catholics in the diocese of Beja as part of three year Pastoral Plan focussed on the family

Beja (Agenzia Fides) - The Family and Life is the title of an open letter addressed by the Council of Priests of the diocese of Beja in Portugal to all the faithful on the eve of a national Referendum an Abortion on 11 February and in year one of a three year Pastoral Plan focussed on the Family. The letter calls on all Christians and all people sensitive to the drama of abortion to vote ‘no’ because "human life is a basic and priority right. “The Church, faithful to her Founder, makes the human person her first and principal cause putting herself humbly at the service of all men and women.”
The Letter recalls that "every human person possesses inalienable rights which nothing and no one can deny" and that " the people are the greatest resource of any nation". Hence the need for efforts to promote solidarity and prevent inequality. The Letter states that the family “is the founding cell of society and is therefore indispensable” and it must “find in the state and in society the assistance necessary to carry out its duties including procreation, so important for the future of Europe”. Commitments include: protect and support human life in all its stages, help families to mobilise to have more say in the life of society, encourage families to be truly communities of life and love.
The diocese of Beja has launched a three year pastoral plan focussed on the family: Year 1 (2006-2007) "The Family, the Way of the Church": to render the parish a place where families can be built according to the Gospel; reach out to families living on the margins of the Church; give special attention to families in difficult situations. Year 2 (2007-2008) "Family, sanctuary of Life": help families to rediscover their mission to be authentic sanctuaries of life and their dignity as small domestic churches. Year 3 (2008-2009) "Family, community of life and love": help families understand that having children is the natural consequence of love lived in the family; foster the handing on in the family of Christian values; help parents realise the importance of education and integral accompaniment of children. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 5/2/2007; righe 27, parole 382)