Papa: Babies are an indispensable asset of the future

The pope delivered the message at a meeting marking the 25th anniversary of the Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe (FAFCE).

C. Rubini CTC, Vatican News

Pope Francis thanked the Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe (FAFCE) for its services to families, especially those fleeing Ukraine, and called on families to follow suit. He also condemned the epidemic of loneliness, surrogacy and threats of pornography.

Pointing out that children are never a threat to the environment but an inescapable asset for the future, Pope Francis said that consumerism and individualism must be confronted. The pope made the remarks at a meeting at the Vatican on Friday to mark the 25th anniversary of the birth of members of the Joint Committee of Catholic Families in Europe.

Convince communities that family is a resource

Pope Benedict XVI encouraged FAFCE members to continue with the good deeds they are doing during this time of war in their service to their families. Papa thanked the institutions in Europe for being a voice and for their work in bridging the networks of families across Europe. Over the past five years, the Pope has thanked the Joint Committee for bringing together ten new family organizations and four European countries, including Ukraine.

“This mission coincides with the synodal journey we are living in to shape the church into a family of families.”

In his remarks, the pope warned against supporting families and against discrimination against them and their children, as well as low birth rates, neglect of the elderly and the curse of pornography.

Families at the forefront of welcoming Ukrainian refugees

Pope Benedict expressed regret that families at this time were going through dramatic and tragic moments due to the war in Ukraine. Reminding families not to go to war, Pope Francis praised families and families who have been at the forefront of welcoming refugees in Poland, Lithuania and Hungary. The pope also praised the work of the federation, which has drawn attention to the declining birth rate in Europe, especially in Italy.

“I urge you to continue your work to nurture birth and family integration. This is a valuable service because it is needed for places, conventions and communities where couples and families are welcomed, traveled and not isolated, “Papa said.”

There is an urgent need for local churches in Europe and beyond to open up to the activities of the laity and their families, the pope added.

Children are an indispensable asset of the future

The Holy Father recognizes the great and interconnected challenges that families face. “Sustainable development cannot be talked about without solidarity between generations. “ He said.

“Countries have a responsibility to remove barriers to family growth and to recognize that families are a common good that benefits all, both naturally and negatively.”

Pope Benedict XVI criticizes children for being irresponsible about creation or its natural resources ‘Ecological footprint’ He reminded them not to apply the idea to children and that children are an indispensable asset of the future. Pope Francis reminded families to look at consumerism and individualism as the best example of resource optimization.

Pornography: Permanent Violence Against Dignity and Public Health

The pope also condemned pornography that threatens family and community.

“The menace of pornography that is now pervading the web must be condemned as a perpetual attack on the dignity of women and men. It’s not just about protecting children – it is the immediate responsibility of the authorities and each of us to declare that pornography is a threat to public health. ”

Pope Benedict emphasized that family ties are very important in collaboration with educational institutions and local communities to prevent and combat this scourge and to witness the wounds of those in the vortex of addiction.

The ‘rent uterus’ and the contagion of loneliness

When human dignity is threatened, inhumane and increasingly ‘Rental uterus’ Pope Francis has warned that women, often poor women, are exploited by the system and children are treated as commodities. The pope also condemned the “epidemic of loneliness” that was often overlooked but brought to light by Kovid 19.

“Although many families have found themselves to be household churches, it is also true that many families have experienced loneliness, and their relationship with the sacraments has often become purely virtual. ”

The pope explained that the mutual love between man and woman is a reflection of the tangible and never-ending love that God loves for man, and that it is to bear fruit in social public action and in the care of creation.

“So the center is the family that forms the basis of the marriage. That is the basic cell of society, and it should be recognized as such. In it, there is a unique and undeniable activity that creates life. “It’s not because it’s an ideal and absolute being, but because it represents the natural place of the first relationship.”

The pope called on them to go ahead with their ministry and encouraged them to always be ready for what the gospel claims. Pope Francis concluded by blessing them and asking them to pray for him.