Glasgow (Fides Service) – The Catholic Bishops of Scotland issued comprehensive statement on Marriage and the Family on Wednesday 28 January 2004. Quarter of a million (250,000) leaflets containing the text of a comprehensive statement on Marriage and the Family will be distributed by the Catholic Media Office in Glasgow to Scotland's Catholic community this weekend (31 Jan and 1 Feb). The widely-distributed statement follows a pledge given by Cardinal Keith O'Brien in December of last year when he promised that Scotland's Catholic Bishops intended to make 2004 a year in support of "Life and the Family". In his December 2003 letter, Cardinal O'Brien said; “It is in the best interests of Scottish society, and is therefore a duty incumbent on all who are active in public life, to respect and foster family life. All legislative and fiscal policy must take account of the effect that it will have on this core institution of our society and ensure that it is strengthened and not undermined.”
Referring to the leaflet being distributed this weekend, he added; "I hope you will use this material as the focal point of debate, discussion and initiatives in your homes, parishes, schools and workplaces, aimed at supporting marriage and the family and building a ‘Culture of Life’. I assure you that my brother bishops and I are fully aware of our responsibilities to you and to the society in which we live, it is our desire, especially at this time to ensure that there exists a proper Christian environment in our homes and in our communities for yourselves and for your children." There are 450 Catholic Parishes in Scotland. On 31 May, the Feast of the Visitation, the Catholic Church in Scotland will celebrate a ‘Day for Life 2004’. PS (Fides Service 30/1/2004 EM lines 19 Words: 316)