Text 1343, 66 rader
Skriven 2006-05-16 00:42:30 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service (Press Release)
===================================================
Hello All!

                The following press release is Copyrighted by the
                          Vatican Information Service.
                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                               VIS-Press releases

STATES MUST PROTECT FAMILY FOUNDED ON MARRIAGE

VATICAN CITY, MAY 13, 2006 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican, Benedict XVI
received participants in the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for the
Family, which is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its foundation. It was
established by John Paul II on May 9, 1981.

Pope Benedict recalled how "the family founded on marriage constitutes a
'heritage of humanity,' a fundamental social institution; it is the vital cell
and the pillar of society, and concerns both believers and non-believers. This
is something to which all States must give great consideration because, as John
Paul II liked to say, 'the future of humanity passes by way of the family'."

After highlighting how separation and divorce are currently on the rise,
"breaking family unity and creating no small number of problems for children,
the innocent victims of such situations," the Holy Father called for the
stability of families to be protected. This, he added, "often means going
against the tide," and requires "patience, commitment, sacrifice and the
incessant search for mutual understanding." Married couples can overcome their
difficulties and remain faithful to their vocation by "relying upon the support
of God through prayer and assiduous participation in the Sacraments, especially
the Eucharist. The unity and strength of families helps society to absorb true
human values and to open itself to the Gospel."

Benedict XVI then went on to refer to the "extremely delicate subject" of "the
respect due to the human embryo, which should always be born from an act of
love and be treated as a person. Scientific and technological progress in the
field of bioethics becomes a threat when man loses the sense of his own
limitations and, in effect, aims to take the place of God the Creator." In this
context, he recalled Pope Paul VI's Encyclical "Humanae vitae," affirming that
"human procreation must always be the fruit of a conjugal act with its dual
unitive and procreative significance."

"'Eros, reduced to pure sex," Pope Benedict continued, quoting his own
Encyclical "Deus caritas est," becomes "a commodity, a mere thing to be bought
and sold, or rather, man himself becomes a commodity. ... Here we are actually
dealing with a debasement of the human body.' Yet thanks to God, many people,
especially the young, are rediscovering the value of chastity, which appears
ever more clearly as a sure guarantee of authentic love."

The Holy Father added: "The historical moment through which we are living
requires Christian families to bear courageous and coherent witness to the fact
that procreation is the fruit of love. Such a testimony will not fail to
encourage politicians and legislators to safeguard the rights of the family. We
know that there are increasing juridical measures authorizing so-called 'de
facto' unions which, while refusing the obligations of marriage, still wish to
enjoy the same rights. Moreover, at times it is even sought to arrive at a new
definition of marriage, legalizing homosexual unions and giving them the right
to adopt children."

The Pope concluded his address with an invitation to all dioceses to send
delegations to participate in the Fifth World Meeting of Families, due to be
held in July in Valencia, Spain."
AC/MARRIAGE:FAMILY/... VIS 060515 (540)

SUMMARY

--- MPost/386 v1.21
 * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS =Meridian, MS= bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)