Pope highlights family in message to Italian Catholic Social Week
(October 15, 2010) Responding to the consequences of the economic crisis requires
giving the family its proper value, according to Pope Benedict XVI. He affirmed this
in a message to Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, president of the Italian Episcopal Conference,
on the occasion of the 46th Italian Catholic Social Week, that concludes
on Sunday in Reggio Calabria. Referring to the theme of the week, which focuses on
an "agenda of hope for the future" of Italy, the Holy Father argued that the problem
is not merely economic but above all cultural, whose symptoms are, for example, the
demographic crisis, scarce recognition to women’s role and problems in the field of
education. He called for the recognition and support for the "irreplaceable social
function of the family, heart of affective and relational life" and the environment
that best assures a transmission of values to the coming generations. The Pope agreed
that addressing problems such as disdain for human life and human dignity, the abuse
of the environment and situations of conflict, is not easy but not impossible either.
He called on all to contribute to solutions according to one’s responsibility, leaving
behind private interests for the good of the country and the whole human family.
For this, the Pope said, the field of politics requires intellectual and moral preparation
that recognizes the great truths about God, man and the world and offers criteria
of judgment and ethical principles to interpret the good of each and all. Pope Benedict
also urged for searching for ways to integrate migrants in the host society.