Changing understanding of marriage will alter Europe's identity, Pope tells Hungarian envoy
CWN - December 02, 2010
Meeting on December 2 with a new ambassador from Hungary to the Holy See, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about the importance of preserving marriage and family life.
In his remarks to the new ambassador, Gabor Gyorivanyi, the Pope spoke about the true meaning of religious freedom in a secular world, and the historical role that Hungary has played as a bridge linking Eastern and Western Europe. Then, taking note of the fact that Hungary will assume the rotating presidency of the European Union next year, the Pontiff spoke specifically about marriage and the family.
“Europe would no longer be Europe” if the understanding of marriage changed, the Pope said. "Marriage and the family constitute an essential foundation for the healthy development of civil society, of countries and of peoples.” He warned the Hungarian envoy that the Catholic Church “cannot approve legislative initiatives which involve the acceptance of alternative models of marriage and family life, as these would contribute to weakening the principles of natural law and thus to relativizing legislation and society's understanding of values.”
Additional sources for this story
Some links will take you to other sites, in a new window.
|
An appeal from our founder, Dr. Jeffrey Mirus: Dear reader: If you found the information on this page helpful in your pursuit of a better Catholic life, please support our work with a donation. Your donation will help us reach five million Truth-seeking readers worldwide this year. Thank you! |
Easter Campaign: Progress toward our Spring 2013 goal ($33,066 to go):
$80,000.00
$46,933.77
41%
59%
|
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: frjpharrington3912 -
Dec. 04, 2010 5:06 PM ET USA
The increasing marginalization of the Church in society is taking place simultaneously with the increasing secularization of civil government. Aware of this trend the Holy Father has been vigilant in speaking out about the integral role the Church is called to fulfill in promoting the common good of society. The common good is concerned foremoste with the good of the family which is the basic cell of society which the larger society outside needs and draws on for its own well being.
