Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Warsaw (Agenzia Fides) - “I believe the Congress has given new impulse to participants' commitment to press governments, political institutions and legislators in every country to recognise the family's unique role and to guarantee its support under various aspects so it may perform its function”: this was said by Lola Velarde, president of the European network of Family Policy Institutions at the end of the 4th World Congress of the Family held in Warsaw, Poland 11- 13 May (see Fides 3/5/2007). The congress was attended by over 3,300 members of Family Associations from 60 different countries. “The atmosphere was vary cordial - said Ms Lola Velarde- the participants were people of all different ages, geographical origin and religion, Catholics, other Christians, and in smaller numbers Jews and Muslims. Since it was held in Poland there was a massive participation of Catholics and a marked presence of the loved and venerated figure of the Servant of God John Paul II. It was most edifying to hear Polish politicians state clearly and firmly unconditioned support for the family and for life from conception to natural death".
“The Congress was a success not only for a message of support signed by over 100 EU MPs from 21 different countries read at the opening ceremony, a petition made by Polish deputy premier Roman Giertzch, calling for a European Charter of the Family but also for a Warsaw Declaration 2007 approved by over 3,300 people and institutions.”
The Warsaw Declaration makes the following requests to governments and political institutions: We call for all governing and political bodies to mainstream the family in public policy as a fundamental and inalienable social good, in order to serve their own nations. We call on them to protect every human being from conception to natural death, to stress the upbringing of children as the fundamental right of parents, to protect young people against demoralisation, and to promote economic solutions that provide dignified living conditions to all families. Let the sequel to this call be to proclaim the year 2008 - the Year of the Family. .
“These Congress - Lola Velarde concludes - are most edifying. They offer Family Associations the opportunity to meet, compare ideas and draw fresh courage when they see their commitments and ideals are shared by so many others". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 18/5/2007; righe 30, parole 426)
