Santiago, Chile, Nov 27, 2005 / 22:00 pm
The Bishops’ Conference of Chile concluded its Plenary Assembly last week with the publication of a pastoral letter entitled, “Marriage and the Family,” calling on society to recover the importance of the family and renewing the Church’s commitment to marriage.
“The Chilean episcopate desires to be faithful to the teaching which, in distinct historical, social and cultural circumstances, it has reiterated regarding marriage and the family.” “What benefit would a greatly developed economy be to society if people cease to be guided by the authentic values that should be lived out and fought for and that give true meaning to life?” the bishops asked.
One year after Chile legalized divorce, the bishops recalled that “the marital union and the family founded upon the nature of the human being and that attain their fullness in the Sacrament is good news for society.”
“It is an invitation to grow in love, in commitment and in fidelity in the midst of the changing circumstances of life. Family prayer and participation in Sunday Mass are the guarantors of the presence of Jesus in the home,” they said.