Pope Francis: Do not abandon children, marginalize elderly
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis called the family a “community of life with its own consistent
autonomy”, and that it is the “natural centre of human life”, “the engine of the world
and history”, and the “place you learn to love”.
He was speaking on Friday
to participants of the XXI Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Family.
The Assembly has been looking at the theme “Family, Live the Joy of Faith” and also
marked the 30th Anniversary of the Holy See’s 1983 Charter on the Rights of the Family.
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to Charles Collins's report...
“Each of
us builds his own personality in the family, growing up with their mother and father,
brothers and sisters, breathing in the warmth of the house,” Pope Francis said. “In
the family, a person becomes aware of his own dignity, and especially if his education
is Christian, recognizes the dignity of every human person, and in a special way,
that of the sick, weak and marginalized.”
The Holy Father reminded the participants
the family is based on marriage, which he called “like a first sacrament of humanity”.
“In
marriage, we give ourselves completely without calculation or reservation, sharing
everything - gifts and sacrifices - trusting in God's Providence,” Pope Francis said.
“This is the experience that young people can learn from their parents and grandparents.
It is an experience of faith in God and mutual trust, of profound freedom, of holiness,
because holiness pre-supposes giving of yourself with faithfulness and sacrifice every
day of your life!”
The Pope then spoke briefly about two stages of family life:
childhood and old age.
“Children and the elderly are the two poles of life
and also the most vulnerable, often the most forgotten,” he said. “A society that
abandons children and marginalizes the elderly severs its roots and obscures its future.
Whenever a child is abandoned and an old person is marginalized, is not just an act
of injustice, but it also demonstrates the failure of that society. Taking care of
children and the elderly is the only choice of civilization.”
Pope Francis
concluded his address by remembering families in crisis.
He said the Church
must give attention and show spiritual closeness to all families in need: those forced
to leave their homelands, those that are broken, those who are homeless are without
work, spouses suffering problems, including those who have separated.
“We …
propose to all, with respect and courage, the beauty of marriage and the family enlightened
by the Gospel,” said Pope Francis.