The Pope mentions "the beloved Land of Spain" (20-11-2004)

Roma - The Holy Father mentioned the next World Meeting of the Families that will be held in 2006 during his address to the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Families today. "My thoughts go to the Fifth World Meeting of Families, which will take place in 2006 in Valencia, Spain", he said.

He greeted especially the Archbishop of Valencia - "I know that your Pontifical Council is preparing that event jointly with the Archdiocese of Valencia. I greet Archbishop Agustín García-Gasco who is present here, and send a warm greeting to the beloved Land of Spain that will have the honour of hosting this event."

Mgr. García Gascó has presented during this Assembly his proposal for the World Meeting in Valencia, pointing the mission of families as transmitters of the faith as its main topic. The Pope himself mentioned that "I know that the Dicastery is working hard to spread the "Gospel of the family". The expression is an appropriate one, for to proclaim the "wonderful news" of the family that is rooted in the Heart of God the Creator is a noble and crucial mission."

He also reminded that "the family founded on marriage is an irreplaceable natural institution and a fundamental element of the common good of every society."

The Holy Father is aware of the recent attacks to family and marriage in several European countries, to which he sentenced that "those who destroy this fundamental fabric of human coexistence by failing to respect its identity or distorting its tasks injure society deeply and often cause irreparable damage. You rightly intend, therefore, to reflect on various national and international aspects that affect the family. In this context too the Church cannot disregard the norm pronounced by the Apostle Paul: We must obey God rather than men."

John Paul II used the term "domestic Church" when he added that "the rich experience of other families can be, especially when the "we" of the parents, of husband and wife, develops in the "we" of the family with the most precious gift of children (cf. n. 16). It is in this way that the domestic Church, the sanctuary of life and the true pillar of humanity's future, is built."