The Italian Bishops highlighted "the expediency" of the Family Day, and above all "they appreciated the ways it was held" and expressed their "gratitude to the Catholic laity for the role played in the promotion of a sign of support to the family, in today’s social and cultural ambience". It was said by mgr. Giuseppe Betori, secretary general of the Italian Bishops Conference, at the first press conference of the 57th general assembly of the Italian Bishops, which is under way in the Vatican until May 25th. The event of May 12th, which was discussed on the first day of the Bishops’ meeting, "showed the importance of the role of the laity within the Church said Betori to the press and the expediency of forms of connection that are the joint expression of the plurality of the presence of the Catholic laity, although in the diversity of the organisations and in the respect of the different charismas". (continued)
