A Call for Life and the Family

A CALL FOR LIFE AND THE FAMILY

Conclusions of the Meeting of Politicians and Legislators of the Americas

<In accord with the Apostolic Constitution> Pastor Bonus, <the Pontifical Council for the Family "strives to have the rights of the family recognized and defended in social and political life and sustains and co-ordinates initiatives for the protection of human life from conception and in favour of responsible procreation"> (Pastor Bonus <art. 141.3). In the light of this competency, in Mexico City, from 6 to 8 June 1996, the Pontifical Council convened the Second International Meeting of Politicians and Legislators of the Americas on "The Dignity of the Family and Life in the Politics and Legislation of the Americas: Reflections in the Light of Evangelium Vitae". A first Meeting of European Politicians and Legislators was held in Varese, Italy, 8-10 March 1993, on "The Rights of the Family on the Threshold of the Third Millennium". This was followed by a Meeting of Politicians and Legislators of the Americas in Rio de Janeiro, 28-31 August 1993, on the same theme. At this Mexico City meeting, there were about 130 participants coming from the world of politics and legislation as well as the Church, from all the nations of the American Continent, who approved the following Conclusions.>

For Life and the Family! A Call to the Americas

Notwithstanding all the massive changes taking place in our great continent, one reality remains at the heart of every nation: <the family>, the basic, primordial and vital cell of society. In the family, founded on marriage, human life is conceived, born and nurtured. Because the family is the sanctuary of life, serious questions concerning human life, such as abortion, euthanasia and other threats and attacks on life, cannot be separated from the family. Because the family is the first essential element of society, economic and social policies should serve and strengthen it.

Today, in all our nations, we are alarmed to see human life and the family under attack. Therefore, gathered in Mexico City, we make this appeal to fellow politicians and legislators.

At this time, we wish to delineate the principal features of the crisis; to reaffirm the principles that must be upheld; and to propose some practical and urgent recommendations.

I. The crisis in the Americas

<Demographic trends> vary from nation to nation. Migration increasingly raises different challenges. The process of the reduction and stabilization of population growth, described by experts as the <demographic transition>, is well advanced in many of our regions. Nevertheless, the neo-Malthusian ideology, with a serious misunderstanding of demographic data, inspires policies of population control, in so many of our nations, through contraception, sterilization and even through abortion. Supported by rich countries, the agents of this destructive and false ideology are wealthy <international Institutions>, involved in what Pope John Paul II calls a "conspiracy against life" (<Evangelium vitae>, n. 17). Thus they contradict the people's right that international institutions should be oriented towards serving the universal common good and that they should avoid activities that do not correspond with their original mandate.

<Abortion> is a primordial evil and one of the fundamental problems of our age. In the United States, legalized abortion reaches new depths of depravity and cruelty with such inhuman practices as "<partial birth abortion>". In Latin America, existing laws in defence of the right to life are undermined by failure to apply them and by concerted efforts to <decriminalize abortion>, together with projects to turn this crime into a "right", invoking pretexts, such as the "woman's reproductive health" and "reproductive rights", among others.

<Euthanasia> follows abortion in contempt for life. In North America efforts to introduce euthanasia threaten the lives of millions of defenceless persons—especially the aged and the handicapped who are entitled to love and care within the family.

<The law> itself, as the principle of right, is being corrupted. Behind these attacks on life we find legal positivism and utilitarianism, breaking down the original right to life so that the will of the legislator, jurist or president becomes absolute. Closely linked to these forces, a ruthless form of capitalism (cf. <Centesimus annus>, n. 33) and individualism and consumerism, break down and even destroy the values and responsibilities of sexuality, marriage and family life. As Pope John Paul II points out, such forces undermine the basis of true democracy (cf. <Evangelium vitae>, n. 20).

<The mass media> is often misused to promote the "culture of death" and a materialistic and hedonistic concept of the person, in conflict with the values of marriage and the family.

<The economic policies of our nations> frequently do not favour the family. Women are obliged to work outside the home and are not supported in their mission as mothers. In some nations social problems such as family poverty, single parent homes, juvenile delinquency, drug addiction and violent crime are exacerbated by misguided welfare programmes. In other nations a lack of adequate welfare provisions leaves poor families in a very weak and vulnerable situation.

<The parents' primary rights in education> are not always recognized. Sex education programmes, imposed by the State and often directed by population control organizations, violate parental rights and promote hedonistic lifestyles. Many parents are not free to choose an education for their children in accord with their faith and conscience, or they are obliged to pay much for such an education.

<children> in many regions are subjected to infamous exploitation through child labour, prostitution and pornography. The suffering of "street children", victims of a lack of family policies, is the scandal and shame of so many of our greatest cities.

<Women>, to a great extent, bear the burden of poverty. So often they are vulnerable through lack of education. With their children, they are the main victims of family breakdown. In some societies they are the victims of <machismo>. Yet, at the same time, a radical feminism, promoting a false concept of "gender", harms them in every nation in the Americas, instilling prejudices against authentic feminism which protects the dignity of women.

Finally, we express our deepest concern over a new "paradigm of health" aimed at making the right to health subordinate to the solvency of individuals or societies.

II. Truths of the family and life

In the face of these problems and challenges we reaffirm some of the more important principles that guide us:

1. We reaffirm the innate dignity and value of every human person, created in the image and likeness of God and thus capable of self-giving love.

2. We reaffirm that universal human rights are innate, as set out in the <Universal Declaration of Human Rights> (1948).

3. We reaffirm the validity and current importance of the <Charter of the Rights of the Family>, published by the Holy See (1983). Therefore we reaffirm that the family has rights flowing from its identity as the basic cell of society.

4. We reaffirm that the family is founded on marriage, a union between a man and a woman, open to transmitting human life.

5. We reaffirm that the indissolubility of marriage between a man and woman should be protected by the law for the good of society.

6. We reaffirm the right to life of all human beings, from the moment of conception until natural death. As Pope John Paul II teaches, "Before the moral norm which prohibits the direct taking of the life of an innocent human being '<there are no privileges or exceptions for anyone>. It makes no difference whether one is the master of the world or the "poorest of the poor" on the face of the earth. Before the demands of morality we are all absolutely equal'" (<Evangelium vitae>, n. 57).

III. Recommendations

In the light of these truths, we appeal to fellow politicians and legislators to meet the problems of our nations and we propose recommendations to this end.

1. We call for a massive international effort by politicians and legislators in favour of human life. We recommend that a parliamentary group be formed in every nation in our continent to defend life and the family. Furthermore, we recommend that these groups work together through an inter-American co-ordinating body, related to the Pontifical Council for the Family.

2. We call for a rediscovery of the law as the defence of any human life, especially the weakest and poorest. We recommend education in the natural law, which is the basis for universal human rights, beginning with the right to life, hence the true foundation of democracy. In schools, colleges, universities and higher institutes, the social doctrine of the Church, with all its pro-life and family requirements, should be taught thoroughly. This presupposes that continuous moral teaching in accord with the Magisterium be provided in these institutions.

3. We call for the strict maintenance and application of constitutional norms and laws still in force in many of our nations which protect the rights of the unborn. We recommend promoting awareness of these laws and vigilance on the part of politicians and legislators at attempts to undermine them, whether by tolerating illegal abortion, by decriminalization or by invoking spurious rights.

4. We call for practical pro-life assistance for women who contemplate abortion or who have had an abortion. We recommend that more pro-life centres for women be opened, and that existing centres be recognized and supported.

5. We call for legal protection for the unborn child from the moment of conception. We recommend unequivocal pro-life legislation on embryo experimentation and genetic engineering. We welcome the call of Pope John Paul II to jurists and government leaders to recognize and defend "the natural rights of the very origin of human life" (<Address to the Symposium on Evangelium Vitae and the Law>, 24 May 1996, n. 6; <L'Osservatore Romano> English edition 29 May 1996, p. 12).

6. We call for economic justice for families so that the irreplaceable "human capital" of the family can be developed, free from undue State control and untrammelled by misguided social policies. We recommend the formulation of specific family policies in every nation, not merely social policies but strategies designed to recover the full natural role of the family in economy and development for the common good.

7. We call for specific family policies which offer women the concrete conditions to reconcile their mission as a mother with their professional and educational aspirations. We recommend that steps should be taken, especially in the fiscal area, to make this possible.

8. We call for recognition of the irreplaceable educational role of the family. We recommend legislation in favour of a free choice in schooling for all parents-especially the poor.

9. We call for recognition of the right of parents to provide "an authentic education in sexuality and in love" (<Evangelium vitae>, n. 97). We recommend the promotion of <The Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality, Guidelines for Education within the Family>, recently published by the Pontifical Council for the Family.

10. We call for greater moral responsibility on the part of the mass media. We recommend establishing or strengthening bodies that facilitate the exercise of professional responsibility.

11. We call for a truly scientific assessment of demographic realities in the Americas, free from ideological bias or self-interest. We recommend that migrants in particular merit protection through laws and just policies.

12. We call for an end to the "contraceptive imperialism" of population control promoted with the use of abortion, sterilization and contraception. We recommend a responsible parenthood, assisted by the widest possible promotion of the modern methods of the natural regulation of fertility, which are scientifically sure ways of achieving or of postponing pregnancy, when there are just reasons. 13. We call for justice and love for each child, who is a blessing from God. We recommend that new legislation be formulated to protect the rights and welfare of children, especially those who are victims of exploitation through labour, prostitution or pornography.

14. We request the competent bodies to make life and the family a central theme at the forthcoming Synod of Bishops for America.

Finally we appeal to politicians, legislators and all men and women of good will to join us in the struggle for life and the family. Once again, we commit ourselves to this great cause. We are confident that a better future is possible, and so we entrust all our work for life and the family to God, the Lord of Life and Creator of the family.

Participants

Archbishop Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa, President of CELAM

Bishop Jorge Jimenez Carvajal of Zipaquira, Secretary General of CELAM

Archbishop Pedro Antonio Fedalto Marchetti of Curitiba, President of the Department for the Family, Life, children and Youth of CELAM

Dr. Rodolfo Carlos Barra, National Minister of Justice, Argentina

Dr. Agustin Estellatelli, Consultant of the Ministry of Justice, Argentina

Dr. Hugo Dalbosco, Argentina

Dr. Ricardo Leconte, former Governor of the Province of Corrientes, Argentina

Fr Juan Claudio Sanahuja, Consultant of AFAN (Asociacion de Familias Numerosas), Argentina

Fr Michel Schooyans, Professor of Political Science, the University of Louvain, Belgium

Bishop Edmundo Abastoflor Montero of Potosi, President of the Episcopal Conference of Bolivia

Dr. Luis Ossio Sanjinez, former Constitutional Vice-

President of Bolivia

Dr. Hans Dellien Salazar, Senator of the Republic of Bolivia

Dr. Helio Bicudo, Federal Deputy of Brazil

Dr. Severino Jose Cavalcanti F., Federal Deputy of Brazil

Hon. Tom Wappel, Member of the Parliament of Canada

Mrs. Roseanne M. Skoke, Member of the Parliament of Canada

Cardinal Carlos Oviedo Cavada, Archbishop of Santiago de Chile, Chile President of the Episcopal Conference of Chile

Prof. Juan de Dios Vial Correa, President of the Pontifical Academy for Life; Rector of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile

Prof. Fernando Moreno Valencia, Gabriela Mistral University, Chile

Dr. Miguel Luis Amunategui M., lawyer, Chile

Archbishop Pedro Rubiano Saenz of Bogota, President of the Episcopal Conference of Colombia

Archbishop Dario Castrillon Hoyos of Bucaramanga, Colombia; former President of CELAM

Dr. Carlos Corsi Otalora, Senator of the Republic of Colombia

Dr. Jorge Rossi Chavarria, former Vice-President of the Republic of Costa Rica

Dr. Jose Joaquin Chaverri, Ambassador-at-large of Costa Rica

Dr. Andres Vallejo, lawyer, Ecuador

Dr. Draga Cepar, Secretary of the Ministry for the Family of Slovenia

Sir Paul Scoon, former Governor General of Grenada

Mrs.. Monica T. Joseph, Judge of the Supreme Court of Grenada

Mrs.. Agnes Eleonor Ambrose Cato, Grenada

Mr.. Carlos Escobar Armas, former Ambassador of Guatemala to the Holy See

Mr. Juan Ramón Martinez, Executive Director of ASEPADE, Honduras

Mr. Mauricio Villeda, Honduras

Mrs. Gracia de Villeda, Honduras

Archbishop Norberto Rivera Carrera, Primate of Mexico

Cardinal Ernesto Corripio Ahumada, Archbishop emeritus of Mexico City

Most Rev. Ramón Godinez Flores, Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference of Mexico

Archbishop Emilio Berlie of Merida, Mexico

Fr Marcial Maciel, Superior General of the Legionaries of Christ, Mexico

Fr Jose Pereda Crespo, Superior General, Cruzados de C.R., Mexico

Mons. Rafael Fiol, Superior of Opus Dei in Mexico

Mr. Jose A. Gonzalez, Attorney General of Justice of the Federal District Mexico

Mr. Francisco Barrio Terrazas, Governor of Chihuahua, Mexico

Mr. Gabino Fraga Mouret, Undersecretary for Juridical and Religious Affairs, Mexico

Mr. Jorge Davila Juarez, Deputy for Guanajuato, Mexico

Mr. Jose Fernando Herrero Arandia, Senator for Puebla, Mexico

Mrs. Maria de la Luz Lima, Deputy for the Federal District, Mexico

Mr. Jose Espina Von Roerich, Representative for the Federal District, Mexico

Mr. Jesus Noyola, Deputy for San Luis, Potosi, Mexico

Mr. Jorge Ocejo, Deputy, Mexico

Mr. Jesus Ortega, leader of the Deputies of the PRD, Mexico

Mr. Pedro Pehalosa, Representative for the Federal District, Mexico

Mrs. Martha Lara Alatorre, Senator for Chihuahua, Mexico

Mr. Victor Quintana Silveyra, Deputy for Chihuahua, Mexico

Mrs. Cecilia Romero, Deputy, Mexico

Mr. Francisco Javier Salazar S., Senator for San Luis Potosi, Mexico

Mr. Jose Luis Soberanes Reyes, Senator for Sinaloa, Mexico

Mr. Amado Treviho Amate, Representative for the Federal District, Mexico

Mr. Rafael Ayala Lopez, Federal Deputy, Mexico

Mr. Rosendo Villareal Davila, Senator for Coahuila, Mexico Mrs. Margarita Zavala, Representative for the Federal District, Mexico

Mr. Jose Luis, Representative for the Federal District, Mexico

Mr. Vicente Gutierrez Camposeco, Delegate for Azcapotzalco, Mexico

Mr. Jose Luis Lueje, Representative for the Federal District, Mexico

Mr. Victor Manuel Rubio Ragazzoni, Deputy of the PRI, Mexico

Mr. Victorio Carcetti, Argentinian Embassy, Mexico

Mr. Salvador Beltran del Rio, Representative of the Governor of Chihuahua, Mexico

Mr. Jorge Serrano Limon, President of the National Pro-Life Committee, A.C., Mexico

Mr. Jose Antonio Ortega, President of the Mexican Committee for Human Rights

Mr. Juan de Dios Andrade M., Director of the School of Political Science UPAEP, Mexico

Mr. Luis Olmos Ivelderrain, Director of Projects UPAEP, Mexico

Don Jose Barroso, Life-President of the Mexican Red Cross

Mr. Juan Diego Gutierrez Cortina, President of GUTSA, Mexico

Don Alejandro Garza Laguera, Member of the Administrative Council of PULSAR, Mexico

Mr. Carlos Abascal, President of COPARMEX, Mexico

Mr. Hector Larios Santillan, President of C.C.E., Mexico

Cardinal Miguel Obando Bravo S.D.B., Archbishop of Managua, Nicaragua

Dr. Humberto Belli, Minister of Education of Nicaragua

Dr. Olmedo Guillen, Member of Parliament, Panama

Archbishop Jose Dimas Cedeho Delgado of Panama; President of SEDAC.

Dr. Benjamin Benitez, National Deputy, Paraguay

Mr. Cesar Fernandez Arce, lawyer, Peru

Dr. Rafael Rey, Senator of the Republic, Peru

Dr. Miguel Ignacio Prado, lawyer, Peru

Cardinal Luis Aponte Martinez, Archbishop of San Juan de Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico

Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez, Archbishop of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, former President of CELAM

Sir Ellis Clarke, former President of Trinidad and Tobago

Dr. Sergio Abreu Bonilla, lawyer, Uruguay

Dr. Juan Carlos Blanco, Senator of the Republic, Uruguay

Dr. Ignacio de Posadas Montero, Senator of the Republic, Uruguay

Cardinal John J. O'Connor, Archbishop of New York, USA

Cardinal Anthony J. Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, USA

Cardinal Adam J. Maida, Archbishop of Detroit, USA

Archbishop Elden F. Curtis of Omaha, USA

Prof. Gary Becker, Nobel Prize in Economics, USA

Prof. Bernard Nathanson, M.D., USA

Hon. Alan Keyes, presidential candidate, USA

Hon. Christopher Smith, Senator, USA

Mr. Tom Minnery, Vice-President of Public Policy, Focus on the Family, USA

Mrs. Mary Ellen Bork, USA

Mr. Christopher J. Godfrey, President of Pro-Life Athletes, USA

Archbishop Ovidio Perez Morales of Maracaibo, Venezuela; President of the Episcopal Conference of Venezuela

Dr. Enrique Hernando Salas-Romer, Governor of the State of Carabobo, Venezuela

Dr. Henrique Salas-Romer, former Governor of the State of Carabobo, Venezuela

Dr. Alberto Vollmer, Ambassador of Venezuela to the Holy See; Co-President of ALAFA (<Alianza Latinoamericana para la Familia>)

Mrs. Christine de Vollmer, Co-President of ALAFA

Mr. Dan Zeidler, Consultant of ALAFA

Mr. Hernan Fernandez, Consultant of ALAFA

Taken from:
L'Osservatore Romano
Weekly Edition in English
10 July 1996

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