MANILA, Philippines, JAN. 23, 2003 (Zenit.org).- The archbishop of Krakow opened the second day of the World Meeting of Families with a pointed defense of the family based on marriage.
Cardinal Franciszek Macharski explained in his opening address that the strength of a country depends on the strength of its families, and, conversely, weak families spell trouble.
Addressing 5,000 participants in the theological-pastoral congress, which precedes the closing meeting this weekend, the Polish cardinal emphasized that the true family, based on the conjugal union of a man and woman, is the only one that can fulfill its function as the fundamental cell of society.
Because of this, it is the state’s duty not to give in to laws that are contrary to natural and revealed law, falling prey to the temptation of modernism, which favors permissiveness in matters as critical for society as marriage and the family, the cardinal said.
