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The family, society, peace and the environment earned special
mention from Pope Benedict 16th in his holiday message to the world.
President Gloria Arroyo, in a similar message to the nation, cited
overseas Filipino workers.
The Pope said the family is “the subject of
specific rights,” and which the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights declares as “the natural and fundamental group unit of
society that is entitled to protection by society and the state.”
He added that the Holy See had made the same acknowledgment by
publishing the Charter of the Rights of the Family.
“Consequently, whoever, even unknowingly,
circumvents the institution of the family undermines peace in the
entire community, national and international, since he weakens what
is in effect the primary agency of peace,” the Pope said.
Apparently reiterating the Vatican’s
conservative stance on the sanctity of natural and moral union, he
added that “everything that serves to weaken the family based on
the marriage of a man and a woman, everything that directly or
indirectly stands in the way of its openness to the responsible
acceptance of a new life, everything that obstructs its right to be
primarily responsible for the education of its children, constitutes
an objective obstacle on the road to peace.”
“The family needs to have a home, employment
and a just recognition of the domestic activity of parents, the
possibility of schooling for children, and basic health care for
all. When society and public policy are not committed to assisting
the family in these areas, they deprive themselves of an essential
resource in the service of peace. The social communications media,
in particular, because of their educational potential, have a
special responsibility for promoting respect for the family, making
clear its expectations and rights, and presenting all its beauty.”
Batting for the environment, Pope Benedict said
the family needs a home, a fit environment in which to develop its
proper relationships.
“For the human family, this home is the earth,
the environment that God the Creator has given us to inhabit with
creativity and responsibility. We need to care for the environment:
it has been entrusted to men and women to be protected and
cultivated with responsible freedom, with the good of all as a
constant guiding criterion. Human beings, obviously, are of supreme
worth vis-à-vis creation as a whole. Respecting the environment
does not mean considering material or animal nature more important
than man. Rather, it means not selfishly considering nature to be at
the complete disposal of our own interests, for future generations
also have the right to reap its benefits and to exhibit toward
nature the same responsible freedom that we claim for ourselves. Nor
must we overlook the poor, who are excluded in many cases from the
goods of creation destined for all.”
President’s message
In her holiday message, President Arroyo thanked
countries hosting the Philippines’ so-called modern-day heroes for
keeping their guests safe and secure. She voiced optimism and hope
both for 2007 and 2008.
“This Christmas holiday season finds the
Philippines stable, strong and peaceful. Our economy is strong, the
stock market booming and investments pouring in,” Mrs. Arroyo
said.
“And when so many people all over the world
are coming together with family, I want to recognize the eight
million Filipinos who work abroad, many of whom cannot make it home
for the holiday. I wish to tell them how much they are missed by
their friends and family here at home. And I also want to thank the
many host countries for taking care of our hardworking and dedicated
Philippine workers,” she added.
Also, Mrs. Arroyo pitched for the reign of peace
and alleviation of poverty.
“I call on every nation to join hands around
the world and pray for peace and help the poor. There is no greater
calling than to live in peace and free from fear of hunger and
want,” the President added.
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