“Normal” families – composed of a man and a woman who are joined through holy matrimony and have two or more children – are happier.”
Cardinal Ennio Antonelli stated this at a press conference held this morning at the Fieramilanocity trade fair in Milan, ahead of the International Family Fair and one day before the beginning of the theological-pastoral congress takes place.
“Emphasis will be given to the fact that this type of family is more beneficial for society, because although it is poorer on average, it is richer in terms of relationships,” the cardinal and President of the Pontifical Council for the Family said.
“It produces human capital for the workplace, it creates and lives celebrations and is on average more religious.”
Cardinal Antonelli highlighted that these families’ lives should not be made harder, they should be supported, with adequate legal protection, fiscal assistance and Sundays off. The aim of the theological-pastoral congress - he explained – “is to back and boost these families, in the belief that in times of crisis such as this, we need to ensure that families stay strong, not weak, for the good of society.”
In his initial greeting, the Archbishop of Milan, Angelo Scola, placed particular emphasis on the importance of the event for the ordinary life of the Church: “It is sometimes said that a lot of energy is spent on big events like this, with few results. But this is a superficial belief as thorough and long-term preparation work has gone on for this event.”
“The key aspect of our reflection – the cardinal said – is the importance of the family for the unity of self and its ability to relate to others.”
Scola said he was impressed by the widespread media attention given to the event in Milan, even on an international level: “It is a sign that the family founded on a faithful relationship between a man and a woman who are joined through marriage and open to life, is the core wish of women and men today. The focus was on this kind of family.”
Both Scola and Antonelli wanted to express their closeness and solidarity to the victims of this morning’s earthquake in Italy’s Po valley and in some areas of the country’s Emilia Romagna region and the city of Mantua.
The congress work was presented in greater detail by the Bishop of Novara, Franco Giulio Brambilla, who presides over the scientific committee.
The bishops pointed out that the theme of this event - family, work and celebration – “is more secular” than previous World Family Meetings, “because it is more to do with the relationship between family and social life.”