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The Patriarch observed that the aim of the Summit is "to defend traditional family values and to analyze the world's demographic problems. Organized by the World Congress of Families, this forum stands up for inviolability of human life, it speaks out against abortions, so-called same sex 'marriages,' euthanasia, drug addiction and alcoholism."
Patriarch Kirill cautioned that, "Since the creation of the Universe, the family ('established by God') has a special purpose, by renouncing it, the human race endangers the very foundation of its own existence."
However, the Patriarch added: "I am convinced that all the healthy forces of society must unite to preserve the institution of the family and moral values. I hope that presentations by the numerous guests of the Summit will become a testimony demonstrating that the majority of the population of Europe, America, Africa and Asia is united in their determination to defend the family and morality."
World Congress of Families International Secretary Dr. Allan Carlson responded: "We are honored by Patriarch Kirill's support. We will strive to live up to his expectations and realize his hope that the Moscow Demographic Summit will make an important contribution to the cause of the natural family worldwide."
The Summit will include discussions of The Demographic Potential of Russia – The Importance of Pro-Family Public Policy in Russia and the West – Demographic Indicators of Developed and Developing Nations – The Crisis of Family: Marriage, Abortion and Contraception – The International Population Control Movement – The Economic Impact of Declining Birthrates – Human Capital and Family-Friendly Business Practices – and Population Aging and Ways to Overcome This and Other Demographic Challenges
Dr. Carlson expressed the hope that "The 'Moscow Demographic Summit: The Family And The Future of Humankind' will be an important step in raising international awareness of the threat posed by the rapid, worldwide decline of birthrates, which could be the most daunting challenge confronting humanity in the 21st century."
Patriarch Kirill has been Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia and Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church since 1 February 2009. Prior to becoming Patriarch, Kirill was Archbishop (later Metropolitan) of Smolensk and Kaliningrad beginning on 26 December 1984; and alsoChairman of the Orthodox Church's Department for External Church Relations and a permanent member of the Holy Synod beginning in November 1989.
Click here for the full text of Patriarch Kirill's letter to Summit participants.
Click here for World Congress of Families' May 27 press release, which lists many of the Summit's speakers.
For the website of the Moscow Demographic Summit (in English and Russian) – including registration information -- click here.
For More Information on World Congress of Families, go to www.worldcongress.org. To schedule an interview with Allan Carlson, International Secretary or Larry Jacobs, Managing Director of the WCF, contact Don Feder at 508-405-1337, dfeder@rcn.com or Lisa Youngblood at 815-964-5819, lisa@worldcongress.org.
The World Congress of Families (WCF) is an international network of pro-family organizations, scholars, leaders and people of goodwill from more than 60 countries that seek to restore the natural family as the fundamental social unit and the 'seedbed' of civil society (as found in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948). The WCF was founded in 1997 by Allan Carlson and is a project of The Howard Center for Family, Religion & Society in Rockford, Illinois. To date, there have been five World Congresses of Families – Prague (1997), Geneva (1999), Mexico City (2004), Warsaw, Poland (2007) and Amsterdam, The Netherlands (2009). World Congress of Families VI will be held in Madrid, Spain in May 25-27, 2012.
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