Pope calls families to ‘singular mission’: build God’s Kindgom in history

Vatican City, Nov 21, 2004 / 22:00 pm

Pope John Paul II has called married couples and families to their “singular” and “urgent” mission…”in building the Church and the Kingdom of God in history.” His words came during the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Family on Saturday November 20, who are meeting on the theme "The Mission of Mature, Experienced Couples with Engaged and Young Married Couples."

“Spreading the 'Gospel of the Family'" is "a noble and decisive mission, said the Pope of the council’s work. “The family, founded on marriage, is a natural, irreplaceable institution and a basic element of the common good of every society,” he continued.

“Whoever destroys this basic fabric of human coexistence, not respecting its identity and distorting its duties, causes a deep wound to society and provokes often irreparable damages," warned the Holy Father.

The Holy Father indicated that this mission of “building the Church and the Kingdom of God in history… has lost nothing of its actuality and has, in fact, taken on an urgent nature.”

He called for "a renewed commitment in favor of young families" and newlyweds, noting that the early years of marriage are often full of difficulties for couples.

The “discreet, delicate and generous assistance” of older married couples, as well as the Church’s pastoral ministry,  can assist young families in the difficulties of their first years and of having and raising children.

“I note with pleasure the growing presence throughout the world of movements in favor of families and of life”, said the Pope.

“Ten years ago,” he said, “in my Letter to Families, I underlined how important the rich experience of other families can be, especially when the 'we' of the parents, the husband and wife, is developed ... into the 'we' of the family, with the precious gift of children."

The Pope noted that the Fifth Meeting of Families will take place in Valencia, Spain in 2006.