CONCLUSIONS OF THE CONGRESS ON CHILDREN AND THE FAMILY

VATICAN CITY, NOV 21, 2000 (VIS) - Made public today was a document of the Pontifical Council for the Family regarding the theological-pastoral congress that took place in Rome from October 11 to 14. The theme of the gathering was: "Children, Springtime of the Family and of Society" and it marked the occasion of the third world meeting of the Holy Father with families.

The text is divided into four sections: doctrinal and theological contributions, real situations, recommendations and conclusions.

Participants in the congress note that "at both the national and international level, there is a tendency today to weaken matrimony and the family that arises therefrom, rather than reinforcing them. The family, if considered as a precarious union between individuals, becomes ever more fragile."

The document continues: "The family is a privileged place for the transmission of faith as well as being a school of prayer. ... Prayer in the family is a central aspect of vitality that contributes to its stability."

In the section on recommendations, it is emphasized that "the most effective way to protect children and their rights is to protect, in the first place, the family based on matrimony." Furthermore, it recommends avoiding "ambiguity in defining the child and the family. In particular, regarding the legal definition of the child, it is necessary that the rights of the child in the pre-natal period of life be recognized."

"We are troubled by the dramatic devaluation of maternity in our societies. ... The role of mother must be given recognition by reason of the real and effective service it renders to society."

Moreover, the participants in the congress refer to the need to "reinforce the awareness and importance of the paternal role in educating the family. ... This role must, of course, be supported by educational structures but it can never be adequately substituted."

Speaking of the dignity of children, a call is made to "Christian communities and, especially, to parishes, to closely follow the interests of families with handicapped children."

At the end of the document, it is affirmed that "modern-day educators are unanimous in underlining that the integral education of children is inseparable from the continual education of parents. ... Furthermore, though economic difficulties most certainly affect the possibilities for successful formation, they cannot be a reason for impeding poor families from having children and from benefiting from the fine educational contributions transmitted by Christian values."

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