Avoiding misunderstandings

“Attempts to compare the natural family, founded on marriage, to other models of unity, including homosexuals ones, are unacceptable, and in this case Latvia cannot follow the example set by Europe”. In the course of the Third National Day of Latvian Youth held in August in Anglona, Cardinal. Janis Pujats, archbishop of Riga and primate of Latvia, emphasised the Church’s position in the defence of the natural family, founded on matrimony, questioned by the recent decisions taken by the European Union on the subject of even homosexual partnerships. “The Church and Catholics – continued the Cardinal – cannot remain silent on this subject. We must avoid misunderstandings, distinguish between good and evil, otherwise Europe will bury itself with misinformed liberalism”. “Defend the family and defend life”, was the invitation made on that same occasion by Monsignor Peter Stephan Zurbriggen, Church trusts you and invites you to listen to her voice, to better acknowledge and assess the signs of the times”. Decisive issues. There will soon be a general election in Latvia, in October. The key issues battled over are already homosexuality and the family. According to the Cardinal these are “decisive issues”. At a political level – said the Cardinal addressing the politicians present, with the premier seated in the front row – should Parliament not be strong enough to speak up in favour of families, with a law stopping any possible loopholes as proposed by Europe, I believe one could allow the people to express their opinion with a referendum”. The Cardinal leads a Church that has proved itself capable of staying strong through difficulties, throughout the harsh oppression inflicted by the Soviet communist regime. A Church that in these recent years has enjoyed new freedom, the chance to express itself publicly, to return to count within society and publicly return to its work and be important in society re-launching its evangelisation work. The encounter with Europe, with the secular and Western world, is a new and important challenge for the Latvian Christian community. Cardinal Pujats is hopeful: “I believe that the Latvian people and the Latvian Church – he said – are ready. Europe is fine and we are better off now than we were before. Conquered freedom is an essential element. As far as the testimony of Christians is concerned, we must now face the dangers of consumerism, but there are many pious people here and this is a guarantee for the future. The largest problem we face today is that of confusion, of relativism, as also mentioned by Pope Benedict XVI. We must be careful not to lose sight of the border between good and evil, between what is permitted and what is not”. According to the Cardinal, the real emergency for the Latvian Church is to reach out to everyone and intensify its work in the field of formation: “Above all we need priests for pastoral service all over the territory, wherever it is needed. We now need to reach everyone, while when there was still the Communist regime we were prevented from doing this. We should also be allowed to teach in schools… People are very devoted in Latvia; they take the sacraments and have preserved their faith in spite of the difficulties experienced in the times of the Soviets. We are now trying to intensify formation and catechesis”. No to the “culture of death”. “In times in which the culture of death is increasingly spreading, here in Latvia too, we are obliged to face new challenges”, said Monsignor Zurbriggen to the young: “Among other things, you must defend right to life and the family, together with your bishops. With your Pastors you must proclaim the fundamental values of Christian life. Hence, the Church relies on your testimony, on your enthusiasm, on your courage, and on your commitment”. The Church has faith in the young, the Nuncio reassured them: “In spite of all that at time is said about them, the young are very capable of distinguishing between what is true and what is not; they have an acute sensitivity in identifying what is authentic, true and beautiful”. “We live in an era characterised by an increasing sense of inner bewilderment experienced by many young people of your age”, was the prelate’s analysis, who exhorted the new generations as follows: “You must help them to discover, or rediscover, the meaning of this life. And to discover this meaning of life “one must look to Jesus, because He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Christ is the Lord and must be the centre of our lives”. “There is no room for false idols”, he emphasised: “Christ is our hope, hence there is no reason to search for answers elsewhere, following pseudo-truths presented by false prophets, by the followers of esoteric sciences, by the members of sects and those promising transcendental enlightenment. Do not allow yourselves to be deceived. There is only one person who gives our lives meaning: Jesus Christ”.