AMERICA/PERU - “Women with their work and selflessness, at times heroic, make human life worth living, as the sign of the infinite love of God who desired to be born of a woman”.

Lima (Fides) - “The woman, the heart of the Family” is the title of a message issued by the Pervian Bishops’ Commissions for Lay Apostolate and the Family on the occasion of the International Women’s Day. The short message called attention to ideological proposals which denigrate women who are wives and mothers affirming that motherhood and marriage are two instruments of male domination. “This affirmation expresses deep intolerance and should be condemned because it generates chauvinism in social life” the Peruvian Bishops said .
They also said that to build a society of justice and reconciliation “it is necessary to recognise the family as the basic cell of society and that in the family, the woman, wife and mother, has a fundamental and unique role”. This is why - the message read - it is not exaggerated to call her the “heart” of the family because the woman is realised as a person, bride and mother, she is transformed in the nucleus which renders human life possible in all its richness. Hence the vocation to marriage and motherhood, cannot be altered in its significance it must be safeguarded and protected.
Lastly the message expressed profound gratitude and homage to all women “with their work and selflessness at times heroic, make human life worth living, as the sign of the infinite love of God who desired to be born of a woman, who with special fortitude and tenderness said yes to life, Yes to God’s plan, Yes to the human dignity of men and women, Yes to the family”. (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 9/3/2005; righe 20; parole 275)