German bishops, politicians, discuss future policies on the family

Berlin, Germany, Feb 26, 2006 / 22:00 pm

The Bishops’ Conference of Germany recently organized a special forum on marriage and the family in Berlin, with the purpose of discussing perspectives and commitments regarding future policy on the family.

Nearly 120 representatives of the Church, diverse German associations and leaders were invited by the Archbishop of Berlin and president of the Bishops’ Committee on Marriage, Cardinal Georg Sterzinsky, to participate in the event.

According to the Fides news agency, some of the issues the Church considers fundamental for the future of family policy include preventing poverty, encouraging couples to have larger families, solidarity among generations, education and formation and preparation for marriage.

Since the family is the first and fundamental institution for education and formation, a family policy cannot neglect this aspect which should aim to help parents be more involved in the process of children’s formation. Cardinal Sterzinsky underlined the indispensable and fundamental role of marriage. “Marriage, a lasting and personal union of a man and a woman, is a solid institution which offers a frame for a relationship of fidelity and the founding of a family. Instead of trying to invent alternatives to marriage we should ask ourselves: what can we do as Church and as politicians to promote successful marriages?  If the Catholic Church is in favor of marriage it is because she is convinced that marriage is the life-form which corresponds best to human nature and it represents a splendid opportunity for the personal growth of husband and wife”.

The forum established by the Bishops’ Conference began in 2005 and will continue through 2007, addressing the issues of the value of marriage and family for society, and in 2007, the value of marriage and the family in the future and for the future.