EUROPE/PORTUGAL - A new association “In the Family” upholds respect for the family as the natural place for the birth of new life, education of children, protection of all members of society
Braga (Agenzia Fides) - A new association "In the Family" started in Portugal, was officially presented recently during a Life and Family Convention. The association intends to defend and promote the values of life and the family.
Following a referendum in Portugal on 11 February with regard to the liberalisation of abortion, several questions arose. Since in present day society the family appears to be considered an 'unsuccessful' institution, many people in Portugal who disagree with this attitude decided to form an association to defend and promote the values of life and the family.The Association intends to encourage support and formation for families; education to social responsibility; professional formation for citizens, integration and social promotion; prevention of social exclusion; promote respect for life; promote respect for human rights, equal opportunities; social and public initiatives to reaffirm the family as the founding nucleus of society.
The Association presented a “Letter of Principles”, the first of which is the inviolability of human life to be respected from the moment of conception to natural death. It states that there can be no economic, cultural and social progress without respect for the value and the life and dignity of every human person. Another principle is absolute rejection of anything which violates human life, abortion, euthanasia, experiments with human embryos, cloning, the death penalty. The association says that human dignity brings with it a series of values which are culturally enriching for civilisation and as such must be respected. It upholds the family as the founding nucleus of society, the natural place for the birth of new life, education of children and in general protection of every member of society.
(RG) (Agenzia Fides 19/6/2007; righe 24, parole 328)
