Family in focus as Pope celebrates Mass at Nazareth

May 14, 2009

Pope Benedict XVI put the spotlight on family life as he celebrated Mass at Nazareth on May 14. Noting that the Catholic Church in the Holy Land is completing a "Year of the Family," the Pope encouraged the faithful to draw inspiration from the hidden life of the young Jesus with Mary and Joseph in Nazareth, and (as Pope Paul VI had suggested) "to contemplate ever anew the silence and love of the Holy Family." The Pope's homily addressed domestic life rather than political issues. While he concentrated on the need for a revitalization of family life, he did make a pointed observation about "the duty of the State to support families in their mission of education, to protect the institution of the family and its inherent rights, and to ensure that all families can live and flourish in conditions of dignity."

Later the Pontiff took note of the social challenges facing Nazareth, a predominantly Arabic town where Christians, although still numerous, are a minority. "Sadly, as the world knows, Nazareth has experienced tensions in recent years which have harmed relations between its Christian and Muslim communities," the Pope acknowledged. "I urge people of good will in both communities to repair the damage that has been done, and in fidelity to our common belief in one God, the Father of the human family, to work to build bridges and find the way to a peaceful coexistence."

 

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Further information:

• Text of Pope Benedict XVI's Homily at Mass in Nazareth (Vatican Radio)
• Pope: the world needs to recognise the role of families and women (AsiaNews)
• Pope Benedict celebrates mass in Nazareth (UPI)
• The family is essential for building a civilization of love (VIS)
• Pope preaches against prejudice in Nazareth (BBC)