GUARANTEE FAMILIES ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT

VATICAN CITY, FEB 9, 2002 (VIS) - This morning, the Pope received in audience members of the "Centesimus Annus - Pro Pontifice" Foundation who, with their "activities in the economic and social spheres, represent a valid form of the lay apostolate."

"Your activity," said the Holy Father, "is particularly relevant because it aims to give special attention to the family and to the evaluation of its role, so indispensable in society. A contented and industrious family becomes a forge for building peace. ... Therefore, it is necessary to pray and work ceaselessly in order that the family become a protagonist in creating a constructive path of peace, both within and around itself"

John Paul II stressed that "in the world today there exists a great desire for truth, justice and harmony. I was able to experience this two weeks ago at Assisi" with representatives of world religions. Nonetheless, he added, "love must be promoted in society, and to do this we must start from the primordial cell of humanity which is the family. ... It is, consequently, important that family units be guaranteed, among other things, adequate economic, social, educational and cultural security in order for them to be able to carry out the tasks that it is their primary duty to fulfil."

After referring to the principle of subsidiarity, upon which the foundation is presently reflecting, the Pope said: "Applying this principle to the family's relationship with the State, the first thing that emerges is the urgent need to use all possible instruments in order to safeguard the promotion of those values that enrich the family, sanctuary of life and environment in which tomorrow's citizens are born and develop."

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