Family first

New government of Slovak republic approved its program for the following four years this week. The cabinet has been constituted by the winning party of the March parliamentary election – Direction-Social democracy – after gaining 45% of all valid votes. Soon afterwards, the prime minister Robert Fico invited representatives of various institutions, including the religious ones, to present suggestions for preparation of the program of new government. Catholic Church, represented by the Bishops’ conference of Slovakia, embraced this opportunity and drew several points with hope to contribute to future development of the society. Danka Jaceckova from SIR Europe office in Bratislava interviewed Mons. Stanislav Zvolenský, president of the Bishops’ conference, who expressed hope that "every step of the new government will contribute to integral human development, by caring about people in all their dimensions".What suggestions were there on the list submitted to the government by the Bishops’ conference of Slovakia?"We understand as our duty towards God to remind everyone about importance of family as the most natural type of communion. Institution of family has required help and support throughout the history and needs it even more today. Especially families with many children need support from the government, along with adherence to the natural right of parents to have their children educated in accordance with their decision regarding the religion. I’d like to mention possibility to registrate for religious education at schools which is guaranteed by law but recently there have been certain changes regarding hourly dotation for this subject. We’ve asked new government to return to the previous higher number of lessons of religious education. It’s also worrying that mothers and fathers of families often have to search for employment far from their homes which deteriorates mutual relations between spouses and between parents and children, so we would appreciate some measures taken in this sphere. In our proposal we request equal financing of educational and social institutions owned by the Church. We wish not to be disadvantaged comparing to other institutions, especially those run by the state, which would mean equal financing of schools to provide possibility to develop our activities freely and equally. We are also aware of necessity to sign two more partial agreements in addition to the Basic Agreement between the Holy See and Slovak republic from 2000, regarding protection of conscience and Church financing. Finally, our proposal mentions need of protection of cultural monuments. We wish to have more help from the state in the area of maintenance and renewal of the monuments owned by the Church, as we believe they are a common cultural heritage od whole nation".You mentioned protection of family among your priorities. How would you describe current tendencies in Slovak society in this regard?"There are some liberal tendencies but also the ones respecting the natural law. Believers understand it as an invitation from God. He created us as people who are born and grow up in family, that’s why it’s our main mission to protect this basic human communion, representing foundation of every society. We hold great respect for the God’s plan and natural law in regard to support of family and life from the beginning to natural death and we understand it as our duty to use all available instruments to sensitize people’s conscience, especially of those who work in public sphere, to do their best for protection of family".How would you describe position and role of Catholic laity regarding protection of traditional values in Slovak society?"Catholic Church in Slovakia is very pleased by the way the lay Catholics who live in marriage or prepare to get married let themselves be guided by God in questions regarding their conscience and attitude towards the institution of family. They perform many public activities in favour of protection of life and family. Many of them have created associations guided by the principles rising from the Holy Scripture, corresponding with teaching of Catholic Church. This is really a great joy for every priest and bishop to watch their initiatives. They truly become bearers of the Gospel and we can only appreciate it. I myself admire mysterious Lord’s influence in these people’s hearts. They are excellent instruments of God’s will by living their faith in everyday life".