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WHEREAS we the youth delegates at this
World Congress of Families II place our trust in God and His Guidance in
our deliberations; therefore
WE
DECLARE that the
natural family is the fundamental social unit, centered on the lawful
lifelong covenant between a consenting man and woman, who take upon
themselves the responsibility and commitment to create an atmosphere of
love, respect, security, trust, and happiness, providing for the full
physical and emotional development of children. Men and women have
unique and complementary roles which are essential to the marriage and
family; and
WE
DECLARE that
life is sacred. Thus, it is the duty of families, communities, and
governments to protect and maintain its sanctity; and
WE
DECLARE that in order to foster a loving home environment and
transfer moral and social values and virtues to their children, parents
have a divine responsibility and right to direct the physical, spiritual,
emotional, and intellectual growth of their children. Children have a responsibility,
privilege, and right to honor, respect, and support their parents in the
development of a loving home environment where each individual family
member is nurtured. All programs, products, and services provided by media
and other social institutions are to assist parents in their divine
responsibility for their children’s development and are not to infringe
upon parents’ inherent right to rear their family according to the dictates
of their conscience; and
WE DECLARE that breaking the
sacred bonds of the natural family leads to its deterioration. When these bonds
are broken by such influences as divorce, premarital or extramarital sexual
relationships, destructive media, pornography, substance abuse, and
physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, the family will be hindered from
fulfilling its purpose; and
WE DECLARE that families, communities, and governments
can successfully preserve the natural family. It is incumbent upon all people everywhere to place highest
priority on protecting and promoting the rights and responsibilities of the
natural family as the foundation of society.
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