(September 13, 2010) Pope Benedict on Monday expressed concern over the growing attempt
to eliminate the Christian concept of marriage and family from the consciousness of
society. He expressed his feelings in an address to Germany’s new ambassador to the
Holy See, Walter Jünger, who presented his credentials to the Pope at a formal ceremony
at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo. The Pope said that marriage manifests
itself as a lasting union of love between a man and a woman that always aims at transmitting
human life. Another condition of marriage he said is the provision of partners in
relating to each other forever. This requires a certain maturity of the person and
a fundamental existential and social attitude. "In this sense - the Pope said - the
Church cannot approve of legislative initiatives that involve a re-evaluation of alternative
models of married life and family. This contributes to the weakening of the principles
of natural law, thus relativizing all legislation and adds to confusion about values
in society. When we begin to differentiate between worthy and unworthy forms of human
life - and this often begins already in the womb - the Pope said no other phase of
life will be spared, much less old age and infirmity. Speaking about new possibilities
in bio biotechnology and medicine the Pope said it is our duty to carefully study
how far these methods serve man and where they becomes human manipulation, violating
his integrity and dignity. The Pope said, we cannot reject these developments, but
we must be very vigilant.