Children, Springtime of the Family

In Rome from 11th to 13th October 2000, the Third International Theological-Pastoral Congress was held on the theme "Children, springtime of the family and of society". At the close of the congress - which was attended by more than 2000 people and organised by the Pontifical Council for the Family - a communiqué was issued, some extracts of which are given below:

It is also necessary to put a halt (by appropriate legal means both at a national and international level) to the terrible offences against children's dignity. These offences include sexual exploitation (such as, for example, so-called 'sex tourism') and all kinds of violence suffered by these weakest of human beings who are denied protection of their most fundamental human rights. Are these not true crimes against humanity that, as such, must be recognised and punished, not only in the places they occur but also in the countries from whence the perpetrators of the crimes come?"

"Children are the springtime, something that flowers, something new. They carry a promise: the renewal of the world in and through the family. Our children, springtime of the family and of society, continue to be a sign of hope for the world and for the Church".

"We must all struggle in order that each child may be a springtime of joy and grace"
(His Eminence Card.
Eugenio de Araújo Sales)

"It is springtime when peoples, governments and legislators decide to believe in the truth of man, to defend him and respect him and when iniquitous and deadly laws are substituted by legislation that serves the family and children. They are the most precious gift and must be loved, defended and respected as a treasure".
(His Eminence Card.
Alfonso López Trujillo, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family)