Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lourdes (Agenzia Fides) - In view of elections in France in April Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of France recalled certain basic principles.
Addressing a plenary assembly of the Bishops’ Conference being held in Lourdes 27-30 March, the Cardinal said that when making a political decision a Catholic should act in keeping with his Christian convictions. Among these convictions the Cardinal mentioned the value of the family "nucleus of the human community... which today more than ever needs to be supported". "We say yes to the family founded on marriage between a man and a women, open to procreation, we say yes to the child’s right to have a mother and a father". Another important issued mentioned by the Cardinal was euthanasia: "we must clearly say no to a claim to a ‘right’ to die would lead to the legalisation of euthanasia. In no way can the dignity of life, to be always upheld and promoted, ever allow an exception of euthanasia".
Illustrating the Church’s attitude to abortion the Cardinal said in this field “we have moved from a logic of distress to the affirmation of a right which appeared evident and which becomes increasingly difficult to counter so strong is the pressure”. The Cardinal warned of the dangers of bio-ethical research when the rights of the human person are not respected.
Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard stressed the need to support policies which promote equality in the field of work and resources, and to eradicate growing inequality in France and in the rest of the world. Quoting Pope John Paul II he said:
The Bishops recall these important principles to enlighten consciences and encourage reflection and discernment and urge Catholics to vote political leaders who respect the values upheld by the Church. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 28/3/2007; righe 29, parole 391)
