Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Manila (Agenzia Fides) - "The Pope's message encourages, inspires and challenges families in the Philippines to be 'home and school' of the Gospel". This is what Rene Bullecer, lay Catholic, national director of the "Human Life International" movement and Vice President of the Council for the Laity said to Agenzia Fides, commenting on the Pope’s trip to the Philippines (15-19 January), after the Pope’s encounter with families and young people in Manila.
The presence of the Pope, says Bullecer, "reminds us of the policies that threaten life and the family in this region of the world, in a country where divorce and abortion are still illegal".
"First of all – he explains – a bit of Western culture, which leads to consumerism in relations and undermines the foundations and the unity of the family, has also reached the Philippines. Today only 30% of households are married in Church. The majority, about 60-70%, choose a civil ceremony or cohabitation. It is with this reality that we must confront each other. Especially in large cities there is a need to re-evangelize families. 20% of the Catholic faithful regularly attend church today. We hope and pray that the Pope's visit raises awareness and also encourages our priests to seek direct, personal contact with the faithful". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 16/01/2015)
