Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Guayaquil (Fides Service) - “The Whole Truth about Life and the Family” is the theme of Ecuador’s 1st National Pro-Life and Pro-Family Congress 21 - 24 March which opened yesterday in Guayaquil. Some 3,000 experts, parents, professionals and representatives of every diocese in the country are attending the congress organised by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ecuador, the diocese of Guayaquil and the national Council for the Laity.
The aim of the Congress is to encourage Ecuadorian Catholics and all citizens of goodwill to recognise and denounce a spreading culture of death and to recognise and uphold the whole truth on life and the family in the light of the Gospel and the teaching of the Church and scientific knowledge. More in detail the participants will identify and denounce attacks on life and the family and the Church; reaffirm a culture of life and the family as the shrine of life in the light of the Gospel and the teaching of the Church and scientific knowledge; to promote activities to protect life and the family; to extend a pro-life network at every level; celebrate the national Day for the Unborn Child which coincides with the anniversary of the Consecration of Ecuador to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Maria; issue and distribute final statement of findings and resolutions.
The opening mass in Guayaquil Cathedral was presided by Archbishop Antonio Arregui Yarza and concelebrated by all the bishops in the country. Conferences will be given by Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani Archbishop of Lima Peru on "The sacredness of Human Life" and Cardinal Pedro Rubiano Archbishop of Bogotá Colombia on "The Family Shrine of Life ", Cardinal Antonio Gonzalez Zumárraga emeritus Archbishop of Quito Ecuador on "The Law must protect human life and the family ".
Other themes for reflection at various venues include: attacks on life and the family; education to love: affectivity and sexuality; Contraception and abortion; sexual education; attacks on life in society; the dignity of the person (post-abortion syndrome); globalisation and its impact on the family; Family reality and its impact on youth; new threats to the family; co-responsibility in education of children; life and the family in the law in force; Catholics and unjust laws.
The congress will end on Sunday 25 March with a Mass and the presentation of the resolutions. The Congress will include a Life and Family Festival and a pilgrimage. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 22/3/2007; righe 38, parole 515)
