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A Call
from the Families of the World
We come together from diverse
national, cultural, social and faith communities to affirm the natural human family. The
natural family is the fundamental social unit, inscribed in human nature, and centered
around the voluntary union of a man and a woman in a lifelong covenant of marriage for the
purposes of:
satisfying the
longings of the human heart to give and receive love
welcoming and ensuring the
full physical and emotional development of children;
sharing a home that serves
as the center for social, educational, economic, and spiritual life;
building strong bonds among
the generations to pass on a way of life that has transcendent meaning; and
extending a hand of
compassion to individuals and households whose circumstances fall short of these ideals.
Today, however, certain
social, political and economic forces threaten the natural family, tearing the social
fabric at local, national and international levels. Under slogans such as
“modernity,” “globalization,” and “progress,” and in the
name of “Civil Society,” these forces have weakened the bonds between husband
and wife, parent and child, and the generations. These ideologies deny the natural origin
and status of the family, the equal but complementary roles of men and women, the miracle
of human fertility and procreation, the dignity and worth of every human person, and the
autonomy of the family itself. The family, which develops and sustains not only
individuals but all larger communities, has been subordinated to the agendas of pressure
groups, ignored by economic decision-makers, and subjected to social experimentation.
Therefore, we call for the convening of The World Congress
of Families II in the year 1999 for the purposes of:
rallying organizations and
individuals to protect and fortify the natural family;
developing guidelines for
the formulation and implementation of family-centered policies and laws;
raising worldwide awareness
of the objectives and results of the Congress through the dissemination of information to
mass media, scholars, public officials, government bodies, religious leaders, family
organizations, and the public at large; and
creating ongoing structures
for mutual cooperation and support.
By signing "A Call from the Families of the World" you indicate
your support of the goals and objectives of the upcoming World Congress of Families II in
Geneva, Switzerland. The World Congress of Families II will seek to promote family
stability, autonomy, and fecundity while extending a hand of compassion to individuals and
households whose circumstances differ from the ideal.
Signature
.....................................................................................
Country........................................................................................
Number of persons in our
family.................................................
(thc.wcf2.icall.699)
For more information about the World Congress of Families II to
be held November 14-17, 1999, please print, in English, your:
(This information will be kept confidential.)
Name.................................................................................................................
Address..............................................................................................................
City.....................................................................................................................
State/Province...................................................................................................
Zip/Postal
Code................................................................................................
Country...............................................................................................................
E-Mail................................................................................................................
Circulating Organization (if
any).....................................................................
Please send your signed "Call" to:
World Congress of Families II
PMB 212
6260 East Riverside Blvd.
Rockford, IL 61111
USA
or Fax it to:
815-965-1826 |