Pope Benedict XVI Calls Families to Unite

Pope urges families "to unite yourselves to the associations that promote the identity and rights of the family":

MEXICO CITY (Zenit) - Benedict XVI encouraged thousands of families in Mexico and around the world to mobilize themselves to promote a culture and politics of the family.

The Pope said this in a video message he sent to those participating in the closing Mass of the VI World Meeting of Families, which ended today in Mexico City. The five-day international event was held under the theme "The Family as Educator in Human and Christian Values."

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In Benedict XVI's video message, he noted the necessity "to develop a culture and a politics of the family, that are driven in an organized manner by the families themselves."

With his words, the Pope urged families "to unite yourselves to the associations that promote the identity and rights of the family, according to an anthropologic vision that is coherent with the Gospel." He then invited "these associations to coordinate themselves and collaborate with each other so that their actions be more incisive."

The Bishop of Rome called the family the "vital cell of society, the first and decisive resource for its development, and many times the last refuge for those whose needs aren't meet by the established social structures."

"For it's essential social function," he added, "the family has the right to be recognized in it proper identity and to not be confused with other forms of living together."

The Holy Father said the family should also be able to count on "deserved cultural, legal, economic, social and medical protection," and that the state should offer families school choice.

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