NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      SANTIAGO, Chile (CWNews.com) - Archbishop Francisco Errazuriz, the new archbishop of Santiago, on Wednesday called on Chilean authorities to see that protecting and supporting families is the best way to help children in need.

      The archbishop made his statement as Chile's Congress discusses changes to the "Law of Parenthood," which now recognizes different rights for children who were born within a family than those born out of wedlock. In response to some local media that have accused the Catholic Church of opposing the reform of the law, Archbishop Errazuriz said: "The bishops unequivocally support this initiative but we stress that the best way to prevent evils is to first strengthen the family."

      "What real difference would new law makes to a child born out of wedlock if he has already been deprived of his right to have a stable home, and to receive adequate emotional support?," he asked. He added that out-of-wedlock children deserve to have good education and health assistance, just as all children do, "but all that and more is better guaranteed by a family than by the state."

      Archbishop Errazuriz took over leadership of the Archdiocese of Santiago on May 17. One of his first announcements was the implementation of the Family Pastoral Department, which was created by his predecessor, Cardinal Carlos Oviedo, in 1997. On Monday, Archbishop Errazuriz officially opened the office of the new department.