Catholic World News - Vatican Update - 10/12/2000

Pope Tells Envoy: Protect Family

VATICAN, October 12, 2000 (CWNews.com) -- Pope John Paul II accepted the diplomatic credentials of a new ambassador from Canada on Thursday, and in his prepared remarks the Pope emphasized the primary role of parents in the education of their children.

"No one can substitute for the parents' responsibility in this domain," the Pope told Ambassador Wilfrid-Guy Licari. He went on to say that the moral and spiritual formation of young children should be left to parents, and governments should protect and promote the parental role rather than seek greater public control.

The family is the most important building block of any society, the Pontiff urged. "No other structure should be offered as a substitute, or placed on the basis of equality."