By Patrick B. Craine
September 24, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF), a group co-founded by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus, has released its annual message to families calling on them to engage society proactively in building a culture of life. The title of the message is 'Families, Let's Build A Better World Together!'
The twelve-page brochure, says the description, “invites families to reflect on their thoughts and feelings towards the political class, and on their own commitment to building a culture of life.” It includes several aids such as a list of ways for families to get involved in the political process, a summary of the Church's Charter of Rights of the Family, and a set of discussion questions.
“All the choices and decisions made by our governments and courts sooner or later directly impact every family – my family,” explains the document.
Reiterating the Church's call for lay people to work actively in the world to build a just society, they acknowledge that “the challenge is immense,” while stressing that “the need has never been greater.”
“Our skills and convictions founded on a wellformed conscience are needed in many different areas of public life,” they continue, listing a range of careers. “Parents, children, youth, or grandparents, we can all affect current economic, social, educational, legislative, administrative or cultural developments, in solidarity with our fellow citizens and guided by the spirit of the Gospel. Even the smallest act can make a difference in advancing the common good.”
“Of course, the obstacles are great and numerous,” they explain, referring to such evils as abortion, embryonic experimentation, the redefinition of marriage, the proposed legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide, the restrictions of free speech, and the imposition of governments on the educational rights of parents.
Thus, “a mobilization is needed,” they proclaim. “It is up to families to get together and develop a culture and legislation that benefit the family and reflect their true needs.”
The document goes on to refute the claim often made that faith should not be brought to bear on politics. “This is the point of view that is promoted by those who support an aggressive secularism that threatens the freedoms of religion, conscience, expression and education of those who hold a religious faith,” they say. “The separation of Church and state does not mean separating faith from debates on political issues. It does not rule out an important Canadian historic reality – the 'co-operation of Church and State.'”
They emphasize the need to rely on God through His Church for support. “Yes, we will encounter opposition!” they say. “But we are not alone. As children of God, we know that every day, we can find strength greater than our own through prayer, the Eucharist, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, in other words in the life of the Church.”
Insisting that Christians have a responsibility to “play an active role in the democratic process,” they call on families to advocate for fiscal policies that “make it truly possible for parents to welcome additional children, and to care for their own children in the home.” In particular, they say, “this would likely involve financial compensation for stay-at-home parents that would be at least equal to what other workers receive.”
They condemn, further, the “double standard” of Catholic politicians who leave their faith outside the voting chambers. “This double standard reveals a kind of spiritual schizophrenia – a divorce between one's faith and the many choices and decisions that are encountered in everyday life,” they say. “We are all called to unity of life – which means living coherent lives, refusing to leave our beliefs and personal values at the door of our workplace, whether it be the Parliament or elsewhere.”
Additionally, they affirm the rights of parents to raise their families without undue interference from the state. “The important principle of subsidiarity serves as a warning to the state, cautioning it not to supplant the initiatives, freedoms and responsibilities of families,” they say, “but rather, to respect the dignity of the family and to support its central and vital function for society by helping it to overcome the challenges that inevitably arise.”
Finally, they stress the great importance of prayer for families who choose the difficult task of working against abiding cultural norms. “For families that wish to follow this path, and to persevere in proposing counter-cultural viewpoints while respecting contrary opinions, prayer is essential,” they conclude. “From prayer bursts forth a power that transforms the family into a community of disciples of Christ, who is always present and ready to help the family in accomplishing its crucial mission.”
To view the document click here.