Thursday, January 04, 2007

World Congress of Families Praises Pope's Comments on Population Decline

Contact: Larry Jacobs, World Congress of Families, 513-515-3685 cell, 815-964-5819, media@worldcongress.org

MEDIA ADVISORY, Jan. 4 /Christian Newswire/ -- World Congress of Families President Allan Carlson praised the pope's comments on European population decline as "far-sighted and courageous."

Speaking to the Roman Curia, Pope Benedict XVI said low birthrates in Europe reflected the fact that many couples no longer seem to want children – a tragedy which, the pope said, has "penetrated my soul."

"Men and women today are unsure about the future," Benedict observed. "If we do not relearn the basic foundation of faith – if we do not recover the certainty of faith – it will be ever more difficult for us to give others the gift of life and the challenges of an unknown future."

"Secularism is a societal death-wish," Carlson observed. "Those who believe that life has no higher purpose than self-gratification won't make the sacrifices necessary to raise a family. Empty churches lead to empty nurseries."

European countries, which have the lowest rates of religious observance in the world, also have the lowest birthrates. Of the ten lowest birthrates, 9 are in Europe – the tenth is in Japan, where a similar process is underway.
more...

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home