NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- The Pontifical Council for the Family today released a 5-page document containing the conclusions of an October meeting of European political leaders. The document lamented "a certain contempt for the rights of the family and of life," and new threats to human rights. It called upon political leaders to "recognize and help" the family.

      "The family is prior to the state, and more necessary," the document states unequivocally. Thus every government is obligated to respect the province of family life, and both justice and sound public policy require efforts to build strong families. However, the European legislators saw many government initiatives which are hostile to the family.

      Among the violations of the right to life, the document cited abortion, euthanasia, and the destruction of human embryos. The report also condemned the public campaigns of vilification which have been undertaken against pro-life leaders.

      The rights of the family are also being jeopardized, the group noted, by the "devaluation of the institution of marriage," as well as by public indifference to the evils of fornication, promiscuity, homosexuality, and pornography. The group also insisted on the right of parents to guide the education of their children, free from coercion by the state and with equal rights to choose religious schools.