DE FACTO UNION IS NOT AN ALTERNATIVE TO MATRIMONY

VATICAN CITY, JUN 4, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received the participants of the 14th plenary session of the Pontifical Council for the Family who have been reflecting on the theme, "Paternity of God and Paternity in the Family."

In his speech, the Pope indicated that "in some countries it is sought to impose so-called 'de facto' unions upon society," and to "give juridical value to a desire that remains far distant from any kind of definitive union. With premises like these, how can we hope for truly responsible procreation, (one) not limited to giving life but that also includes development and education, which only the family can guarantee in all its dimensions? Formulations of this type end up endangering the sense of human parenthood, the parenthood of the family."

Forms of co-habitation between the sexes, he affirmed, do not constitute "an authentic juridical alternative to matrimony. ... So called 'de facto' unions give evidence of a more or less grave lack of mutual commitment, a paradoxical desire to maintain intact the autonomy of one's own will within an alliance that should be relational."

"When 'de facto' unions demand the right to adoption, they clearly show that they are disregarding the greater good of the child and the minimum requirements that he or she needs for satisfactory development. 'De facto' unions between homosexuals represent a deplorable distortion of what should be the communion of love and life between man and woman in a reciprocal giving (which is) open to life."

The Pope highlighted that, especially in wealthy nations, "there is a widespread phenomenon of, on the one hand, fear of parenthood and, on the other, disregard for the right of children to be conceived within a context of total human giving. ... In this way a presumed right to paternity-maternity at any cost is affirmed."

"Another characteristic of the cultural context within which we live is the tendency of many parents to renounce their role and become simply friends of their children." For this reason, he concluded, "it is necessary to underline that the education of children is a sacred charge and a joint duty of parents, both father and mother: It requires warmth, closeness, dialogue and example."

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