"Affection for the public, social and community life of a country is a great value which Christianity has always respected, promoted, proclaimed and encouraged", said Msgr. Angelo Bagnasco, president of CEI, answering questions by journalists during the final press conference of the 57th General Assembly of Italian bishops. By mentioning Catholic "parish communities, associations, and groups", and "the commitment to the family", Bagnasco pointed out that "affection for the life of the neighbour, whether big or small, is a huge and fundamental value for Christianity". In this "educational perspective", according to the president of CEI, "we believe we can make our contribution to let this participation in the common good of society grow to a higher and higher extent, and in all its aspects: politics, administration, and voluntary work". Interviewed in relation to an alleged "accentuation" of the subjects linked with the family, Bagnasco confirmed that in the speeches of the bishops, "the accentuation of the issues connected with life and family has never made anybody forget social issues, closely linked with the above-mentioned values".
