Work and the need for God

Relativism? For sure it is a common problem and it affects the general mentality “as in other parts of the world”, and then there are those laws which are “contrary to the family and life”. But perhaps even more serious are some social problems, such as those “misguided policies that do not value human labour as the source of human dignity” and “unfairly, there are no job opportunities and affordable housing for all residents”. This is what happens in Argentina: in preparation for the World Meeting of Families in Milan, the Sir has interviewed the spouses Pablo and Marcela Cavallero, lay members of the Pontifical Council for the Family residing in Buenos Aires.

A value that should remain “fundamental”. The main commitment of the Cavallero’s, who are also members of the Christian Family Movement, is the formation of young people, young married couples and engaged couples, and stems from the belief that “society, even without being aware of it, thirsts for God, the beauty of his plan for marriage and the family” and when people discover it “they cannot help but being full of admiration”. They tell us, for example, that in their experience in groups of couples who are preparing for the sacrament of marriage, they often realize that “these young people, at that very moment in their lives, discover the need for a presence of God in their relationship, and earnestly seek for it”. They noticed that in Argentina, a country with a Catholic majority, the family remains a “core value” for most of the population, and “there is a popular religion that we should value”.

Active role of the Church for the family and social issues. The Argentine Catholic commitment is characterized by a high visibility because they are both active in the parishes (with Caritas, canteens and orientation) and in denominational schools, and in “movements that are actively working for the good of society and providing basic formation, such as the Action Catholic”. Also the specific commitment for the family is remarkable, with the presence of groups such as “Gravida” (which helps pregnant women), Scouts and Guides (for youth), as well as several family associations, such as Marriage Encounter, New Families and Christian Family movements, which offer, with different nuances, support to youth activities, meetings, and formation courses for marriage, for the widows, for separated partners. There are also special services to help single mothers, desperate persons, and abandoned children, but they also organize formation courses on love, recollection days and special events for those about to marry, courses on natural family planning, and many more. Finally, there are university programs to train operators of pastoral care for the family at an academic level.

En route to Milan. In terms of preparation for the event in Milan, the South American country is acting at different levels: the Christian Family Movement, in which the Cavallero’s are very active, but also other groups, are working on the preparatory catechesis proposed by the Pontifical Council for the Laity in more languages through meetings, e-mail exchanges and printed newsletters. “Our bishops – add the spouses -, especially those who are active in the pastoral care of the families, and our priests have been working hard by means of pastoral letters and homilies in the preparation and promotion of the event, to which, incidentally, is not easy to take part because of the large geographical distance”.

(04 May 2012)