Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Guayaquil (Fides Service) - With the participation of over 3,000 people Ecuador is holding its first National Pro Life and Pro Family congress in Guayaquil in 6 different parishes.
The first conference was given by Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, Archbishop of Lima, Peru, on Human Life is Sacred. The Cardinal stressed the need to announce the Gospel of marriage and the family and to have the courage to reject ‘politically correct’ behaviour. "Our times call for the proclamation of the Truth. We are overwhelmed with mistruths, even science as joined with mistruth. Creatures are killed Science is misled. (...) Society is being deprived of transcendent values. The Church in America has the duty to oppose this invasion of secularism".
Cardinal Cipriani said the Church in Latin America is conscious of the difficulties and problems "pressure, false or at least ambiguous messages" which threaten the family. Hence the need to "raise our voice to unmask certain interpretations which dare to put aside the truth of the Gospel on the grounds that it is outdated, inadequate for our times and they propose liberalisation which empties sexuality of meaning."
He recalled the sacredness of human life and human dignity, universally recognised by all cultures and this is confirmed by the Gospel of life. In this sense he said "it is a grave sin to kill a human person created in the image of God. God alone is the Lord of life!".
Regarding responsible parenthood the Cardinal said: "parents are responsible before God and their mission is not limited to this earth its goal is beyond. Hence the dignity and responsibility of parenthood ". To face serious present day challenges the Cardinal said more attention must be given to preparation for marriage: "pastoral preparation for marriage is more urgent that ever". The Cardinal concluded "Humanity’s future is forged in the family! It is indispensable and urgent for every man and woman of good will to promote respect for the values and needs of the family, the cradle of life". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 23/3/2007; righe 32, parole 445)
