Defending life and family are among the essential tasks for Europe, conference says

Rome, Italy, Oct 13, 2009 / 21:04 pm

At the conclusion of the first Catholic Social Days for Europe, held in Danzika, Poland, participants released a final statement underscoring the need to defend human life and the family, to fight against poverty in solidarity with the rest of the world and to work for building peace and justice in Europe.

The conference, which was supported by the European bishops, addressed the issues of economic solidarity and the importance of democracy in its final message, urging respect for “the inalienable dignity of human life, from conception to natural death, as well as for the lives of “foreigners who knock on our door and the lives of future generations.”

“Solidarity is our common future,” the statement said.  “European unity was the dream of some and has become the hope of many. Today our duty is to ensure we continue in the service of global solidarity,” especially with Africa.

After underscoring the urgency of promoting and protecting the family based on marriage between one man and one woman, the statement recalled the need to “implement a common European policy on immigration and asylum, recognizing the human dignity of all migrants.”

The statement also insisted that more effective measures be taken “to reduce poverty and social exclusion.” On a similar note, the participants endorsed promoting a policy for regulating the financial markets in the European Union and supporting international governance facilities.

Europe “needs men and women with open arms to welcome others in the name of Jesus Christ and to build together relationships and institutions of solidarity,” the declaration said.