Intervention of Rev. Sister Marie-Antoinette SAADÉ, Member of the Congregation of
the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family; Responsible for training and apprenticeship
(LEBANON), auditor
Given the scale and diversity of our multiple problems, I would like to reiterate
a practical proposal on the pastoral family, which already exists, as, in my opinion,
it is possible and it is in our means whereas many others are not: Working together
as Churches of the Middle East on what consists of a social fabric that is disintegrating:
Family, primary and fundamental cell of the domestic Church and social fabric . We
observe today an increase in dislocated couples, families torn apart and the ecclesiastic
courts testify to this. It is true that the question of the family occupies and
worries the Church and yet we often feel helpless in the face of such suffering. If
we work together as churches, to take care of the family in all its dimensions, it
seems to me that we could prevent much misery in our societies. Thinking together
about a pastoral family, a simple pastoral, and intelligent and effective contribution
towards all the other pastorals: that of vocations, the young, the sick, the disabled,
the elderly, the sacraments, of Christian life itself. In order to recover the
disintegrating families, why not create together a shelter for couples with staff
and pastoral workers skilled in knowing how to listen to couples in difficulty; staff
who offer presence, listening, advice and support before they have to come to court.
Because prevention is better than cure.To offer some advice to parents, sometimes
basic, but so needed, about the education of their children as the challenges they
face are so huge that they feel powerless so they become resigned and therefore damage
can only be multiplied. Encouraging young people to enter wider Christian movements,
whether sporting, cultural or spiritual, as long as we have prepared capable and prudent
educators. This is the best prevention against the temptations of drugs and other
harmful addictions. Caring for the awakening of faith in the family as the privileged
place where the child learns to recognize their identity and grow by developing their
talents and abilities, human and divine. Because faith is acquired the mother's lap.
This is where the first catechesis is the most effective and most lasting. Give
the woman her true and rightful place. Should the Church not be at the leading edge
in this area, given the practices in some Muslim communities where women are beaten,
imprisoned, violated, abused, without rights, treated as domestic slaves? This indeed
would be true witness. Repairing social fabric together, by promoting the human person
at the heart of the family and starting from there, seems to me to be urgent and effective
pastoral care.