Catholic World News - Vatican Update - 10/16/2000

Urgent Papal Plea for Family Life

VATICAN, October 16, 2000 (CWNews.com) -- Despite the rain that fell on Rome over the weekend, the Jubilee for families, held at the Vatican on October 14 and 15, drew more pilgrims than any other Jubilee celebration other than World Youth Day.

An estimated 200,000 people-- including children, parents, and grandparents-- joined together in St. Peter's Square on Sunday for the climactic celebration of the Jubilee: a solemn Mass at which Pope John Paul II presided, and at which eight couples exchanged marital vows.

On Saturday evening, the Holy Father addressed the pilgrims, and called for stronger efforts to protect the rights of the family.  Speaking in a grave voice, the Pope remarked: "In many regions-- and, paradoxically, especially in the richest countries-- bringing children into the world has become a choice that involves the greatest perplexity, far surpassing the prudence that is involved in responsible procreation." He summed up the problem: "Children are seen as a threat rather than a gift." And he urged Christian parents to reject that approach. "Always be sources of life, never of death," he said. "Do not be afraid!" The Pontiff went on to deplore a trend toward legal acceptance and recognition for homosexuality, the acceptance of divorce, and the introduction of "morally unacceptable" methods of procreation.