Message from Bishop Denis Wiehe on the occasion of the International Day of the Family |15 May 2018

‘It’s always a challenge to be inclusive rather than exclusive’

“Article 32 (1) of the 1993 Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles states that:

‘The State recognises that the family is the natural and fundamental element of society and the right of everyone to form a family and undertakes to promote the legal, economic and social protection of the family.’

“While recognising that the ‘family is the natural and fundamental element of society’, the Constitution does not provide any given model for family life. In article 32 (2) it gives two brief indications, leaving things open for further development.

“However, historically, the majority of citizens in Seychelles have inherited the model given to us by the Christian Word of God and lived it out for many generations of families right up to the present.

“It is important, in my view, before highlighting this basic, more traditional view or model of family life, to recognise the many difficulties and modern-day influences affecting the family.

“There are numerous difficulties affecting the traditional view of family life in our modern society. Most families have been tested to the limits by the scourges in today’s society. The high cost of living has put increasing pressures on parents, both of whom, in a family, have to work to meet the demands of their family; all this has weakened family life.

“Furthermore the passing of several laws liberalising relationships between women and men have further weakened family life. The present revision of the ‘Civil Code’ is about to give the same legal value to ‘en ménage’ relationships as to marriage…

“In our globalised world the evolution of the role of women in society, the presence of pressure groups lobbying for recognition, and the difficulties of traditional married family life have led to the development of a variety of new models of family life.

“With due respect for those, in our society, who have different beliefs and have adopted different models of family life, this short message would like to recall some of the basic elements of Christian family life.

The Christian model of the family

God, in the inner depths of his Being, is communion.

In the human sphere, the family is the deepest and truest image of communion.

A family is formed by a man and a woman, who are married to each other, and who live together with their children.

Jesus, true God and true man, wanted to share a normal life with us and thus to give great value to our everyday routine. The fact that God in Jesus willed to be born in a human family and to grow up in it has made the family a place where God is present and a prototype of a helping community.

God disposed man and woman for each other so that they might be ‘no longer two but one’ (Mt 19,6). In this way they are to live in love, be fruitful, and thus become a sign of God himself, who is nothing but overflowing love.

The Sacrament of Matrimony comes about through a promise made by a man and a woman before God and the Church, which is accepted and confirmed by God and consummated by the bodily union of the couple. Because God himself forms the bond of sacramental marriage, it is binding until the death of one of the spouses.

God wills that the love of spouses, if possible, should produce children. These children, who are entrusted to the protection and care of their parents, have the same dignity as their parents.

The family is a unique school of living relationships. Nowhere do children grow up as well as in an intact family, in which they experience heartfelt affection, mutual respect, and responsibility for one another.

The family is the natural and fundamental element of society; it is also a miniature church, a ‘domestic church’, the radiance of which should invite others into this fellowship of faith, charity, and hope.

Through family prayer and the reading of the Word of God, as well as regular Church attendance, faith grows in the family.

Human values for living in society and faith in God, are first and foremost promoted in the family.

The family itself, the State and the Church working together in partnership are responsible for the education of children and the well-being of family life.

(Reference: ‘Youcat’ - JMJ 2011, Madrid, see: www.youcat.org)

“The Christian ideal of family life is beautiful but it is demanding. It requires belief in God as the source of all family. It also requires determination and fidelity on our part. But it has proved its worth for the benefit of the whole of society. Many who have accepted the sacrifices it demands, still find much consolation and profound happiness in their lives by adopting it.

“In today’s world, we are invited first of all to choose our marriage model and not simply let it happen as circumstances of our life develop. We are also invited to live it out fully. This is a life-long project and will require continued determination and regular renewal on our part.

“Without giving up in any way our personal choices and beliefs, we are also called upon today to respect others who have chosen other models of married life. We are called to seek to understand why they have chosen such models and learn from the positive elements found in them.

“With the establishment of a special Ministry for Family Affairs, a new future is opened for society in Seychelles. As indicated above, with the ministry, all persons of goodwill, working for the promotion of family life, face many challenges. Another one of these challenges is the acceptance of each other: accepting the more traditional view of family life as well as the new emerging models. It’s always a challenge to be inclusive rather than exclusive.

“Another challenge is working together for the promotion of family life. Peaceful, stable and harmonious family life is so important for our society, for the married couple itself and for their children, who are the future citizens of our country. We are all called to do our best to strengthen family life, to respect children and to give them the physical, psychological and spiritual environment which will help them to develop their talents and character so that they can take their place as adults in society.

“In the Catholic Church, family life is promoted by many groups, movements and communities. These organisations are grouped under the ‘Commission Diocésaine de la Famille’ which is working with the Ministry for Family Affairs and participating in the activities celebrating this United Nations International Day of the Family on the 15th May.

“Despite the difficulties and adverse pressures, may all families find encouragement in this short message so that you can engage the challenges and temptations of this time with strength and determination.

“Happy and fruitful ‘Family Day’ to one and all.”