"I wish to reaffirm forcefully that the various
peacemakers are called to cultivate a passion for the
common good of the family and for social justice,
and a commitment to effective social education.
No one should ignore or underestimate the decisive
role of the family, which is the basic cell of
society from the demographic, ethical, pedagogical,
economic and political standpoints. The family has
a natural vocation to promote life: it accompanies
individuals as they mature and it encourages mutual
growth and enrichment through caring and sharing.
The Christian family in particular serves as a
seedbed for personal maturation according to the
standards of divine love. The family is one of the
indispensable social subjects for the achievement of
a culture of peace. The rights of parents and their
primary role in the education of their children in the
area of morality and religion must be safeguarded.
It is in the family that peacemakers, tomorrow’s promoters
of a culture of life and love, are born and
nurtured."
Pope Benedict XVI
