Eighth Pastoral Letter
Eighth Pastoral Letter The Family, Responsibility of Church and State “Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the Church” (Eph 5:25) Assumption 2005 INTRODUCTION To our brother bishops, priests, deacons, men and women religious and all our faithful laypeople: “Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” (I Tim 1:2) 1. The Catholic Church believes that the family exists for the well-being of the human person, of society and the Church. It is in fact a “natural society” that existed before the State and any other organised grouping. That is why it has peculiar, inviolable rights. Besides, it is not only a juridical, sociological or economic entity. It is primarily a community of love and fellowship, capable of transmitting a collection of cultural, social, moral and religious values; values essential for the growth and welfare of its members, as of all members of society. The family is in fact the “sanctuary of life,” the place where life is welcomed and protected against all aggression and in which it is able to enjoy authentic human growth.1 The family is the basic cell of society, in which the human person is born into the life of the community. There husband and wife are called to give themselves to each other with love and children learn about the love of God and humane, moral values. Healthy, stable family relations are the basis of a rich affective life. They are the foundation of freedom, tranquillity and brotherhood in society. They teach individuals about communal living and sharing spiritual and material goods.
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