Ratzinger: Children merely tolerated.

Pope: Lack of Love Behind Failed Marriages:

Pope Benedict XVI said Friday that a lack of true love was behind an increase in failed marriages and a decrease in birth rates in much of the developed world.

Benedict told members of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences that children nowadays also aren't as valued as they once were, in part because of the economic, social and cultural changes in the globalized world.

"Often, instead of feeling loved and cherished (children) appear to be merely tolerated," he said.

The pontiff said the increase in life expectancy and decline in birth rates were "linked to a disturbing deficit of faith, hope and indeed love."

"Perhaps the lack of such creative and forward-looking love is the reason why many couples today choose not to marry, why so many marriages fail and why birth rates have significantly diminished," he said.

Benedict was speaking to the academy's annual plenary session, the topic of which is "Vanishing Youth? Solidarity with children and young people in an age of turbulence."

Forward-looking love meaning, the"deep-seeded, fully committed and emotionally invested" type of love, I assume is how you translate that phrase. Not "it feels good now so I'll do it" type love.

I think I like Ratzinger more and more as his pontificate progresses. I'm even starting to understand some of the basis for his fierce opposition to "liberation theology" (though I've still not fully investigated his defense, as of yet) during the 80's.

And I'm not even Catholic.

I mean, seriously, who'da thought a Pope would have his own fan club?

Seriously now.

Posted by Kyer at April 30, 2006 12:44 PM | TrackBack