Pope’s message in preparation for VII World Meeting of Families in Milan
The management of work that aims only at market competition and maximum profit and
the concept of celebration as escapism and consumerism lead to the disintegration
of the family and community, spreading an individualistic lifestyle. Pope Benedict
XVI made the observation in a message to Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, president of the
Vatican's Pontifical Council for the Family, in view of the Catholic Church’s VII
World Meeting of Families in Milan, Italy, in 2012. The May 30 to June 3 event has
as its theme, “The family: work and celebration.'' The Pope observed that work
and celebration are intimately connected with family life. They influence choices
that mark the relationship between husband and wife, between parents and children,
and also affect the family’s relationship with society and the Church. According
to the Holy Scriptures the Pope said that family, work and holiday are God’s gifts
and blessings to help us live a fully human life. Hence, he called for reflection
and commitment in order to reconcile the needs and the time of work with those of
the family and help restore the true sense of celebration, specially of Sunday, the
weekly Easter, the day of the Lord and of man, the day of the family, the community
and solidarity. Later on Friday, Cardianl Dionigi Tettamanzi, archbishop of Milan
held a press conference in Milan to launch the preparations for the VII World Meeting
of Families in his city. Pope Benedict will be in Milan on June 2nd and
3rd 2012 to conclude the Church event. The last World Meeting of Families
took place in Mexico City n January 2009.