Pope warns that “family values” in L. America are in danger

During a meeting with Latin American bishops, Pope Benedict XVI cautioned that “family values” in the region are in trouble and that the Church should establish a greater media presence in the Americas. "Divorce and free unions are increasing, while adultery is looked upon with unjustifiable tolerance," said the Pope though he refrained from endorsing Church members to positions of political leadership such as that of a Paraguayan bishop running for president.

Pope Benedict XVI mentioned a list of challenges facing the Church in Latin America that will be discussed during a region wide religious conference in Brazil in May. They are the following:

• the need for recognition of religious liberty (legally by countries)
• growing hedonist secularism
• proselytism from sects
• legislation opposed to the family (e.g. only supporting heterosexual marriage)
• migration
• education
• the formation of public opinion (“to respond to the challenge of sects”)

Links- Catholic News Service, Catholic World News, Catholic Online, Zenit News Agency

Image- pierce.etc.edu (Catholic church located in Nicaragua)