AMERICA/URUGUAY - The Bishops conclude Plenary Assembly with an appeal not to let the image of marriage as the foundation of the family be weakened

Monday, 30 April 2007

Florida (Agenzia Fides) - The imminent 5th General Conference of the Council of Latin American Bishops' Conferences was one of the themes discussed by the Catholic Bishops of Uruguay in a recent Plenary Assembly which concluded on Saturday 27 April. The Bishops expressed the wish that the Conference "may start a process of personal, institutional and pastoral conversion throughout Latin America to render active participation and the prophetic voice of the Church more attractive”.
Another issue discussed by the Bishops was a proposed new Law on Education in Uruguay. Voicing concern for the “high percentage of children and adolescents excluded from the education system and too many cases of failed exams and early school leavers" they said the local Catholic Church in Uruguay is committed to finding solutions to these problems and has made various proposals. The Bishops also discussed formation of the clergy and how to improve the seminary curriculum.
At the end of their assembly the Bishops issued a statement on a proposed Bill to recognise de-facto couples and a Message on Work on the occasion of May 1.
In a statement on de-facto couples the Bishops affirm "the promotion and defence of the institution of the family has always been a concern for the Church since it is a matter of the wellbeing and happiness of individuals and society…We support whatever favours the proper nature, identity and wellbeing of the family in legislation". The Bishops say de-facto couples cannot be given equal status as married couples since matrimony implies a series of rules which safeguard its finality, harmony and stability, by means of mutual fidelity". "It is neither positive or acceptable to weaken or dilute the image of matrimony as the basis of the family ", the Bishops conclude.
In a Message for the feast of St Joseph the Worker May 1 the Bishops write "to work and transform the world it is part of the condition of man and woman created in the image and likeness of God" and "work is for the person not vice versa and through work men and women become responsible persons". Work "enables man to build a stable family". The Bishops encourage workers, union leaders, entrepreneurs and government "to work together to overcome divisions and promote development in solidarity in our country, sustained in the dignity of its sons and daughters". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 30/4/2007 righe 26 parole 260)


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