Rome, Italy, Oct 8, 2007 / 11:22 am (CNA).- Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor of Westminster, president of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, said this week, “The British government also realizes the economic and social costs of separation and divorce. This situation makes it necessary for a greater support for the family to emerge.”

Cardinal O’Connor made his comments during the Plenary Assembly of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences in Fatima, which focused on the issue of the family.  “This is not only about pragmatism but also about an awareness that is emerging in light of the costs and negative results that broken families have produced in British society,” he said.

He stressed the need to recognize that “the weakening of the family is one of the troubling signs of a decline in our culture.  We should also keep in mind the suffering of the children of divorced or separated couples: just talking to the teachers is enough to realize this.”

The cardinal noted that greater support for the family is urgently needed from public institutions in order to address this situation. “In this effort the Catholic Church cannot help but be on the front lines with her specific proposals.”

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