The Church's understanding of marriage not only follows the design of the Creator, but also prompts behaviors that are most effective in containing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, says Benedict XVI.The Pope affirmed this in an address he gave Thursday to Peter Hitjitevi Katjavivi, the new ambassador to the Holy See from Namibia.
The Holy Father noted that the southwest African nation is one of the youngest in the world, since it gained independence only in 1990. "Yet the history of her people stretches back much further, encompassing periods of great trial and suffering as well as moments of remarkable success," he added.
The Pontiff lauded Namibia's "long-range vision" in trying to determine how authentic love for neighbor should be expressed in the public realm.
"This has been the impetus for the many initiatives your country has undertaken to enhance the quality of life of all Namibians by concentrating in a special way on authentic human development," he wrote in the address. "Indeed, the quality of human life cannot be measured solely in terms of consumable goods. The Church shares the conviction that societies must embrace man's 'full range of material needs' as well as his 'intellectual, moral, spiritual, and religious life.'"
AIDS fight
Benedict XVI particularly stressed the need for the African nature to "bring the troubling spread of infectious disease to a halt."
He continued: "The tragic toll which HIV/AIDS has had in Southern Africa has been particularly alarming. In this regard, I assure the people of your country that the Church will continue to assist those who suffer from AIDS and to support their families. The Church's contribution to the goal of eradicating AIDS from society cannot but draw its inspiration from the Christian conception of human love and sexuality.
"The understanding of marriage as the total, reciprocal and exclusive communion of love between a man and a woman not only accords with the plan of the Creator, it prompts the most effective behaviors for preventing the sexual transmission of disease: namely, abstinence before marriage and fidelity within marriage. It is for this reason that the Church dedicates no less energy to education and catechesis than she does to health care and corporal works of mercy."
"Mr. Ambassador," the Pontiff wrote, "I encourage the leaders of your nation to legislate in a way that promotes the life of the family, which must always be held as sacred and most fundamental for a stable society."
The Holy Father's address then focused on the need to protect the environment, since "human health also depends on a harmonious relationship with nature."
"Namibia's Constitution is one of the first to make explicit mention of the grave responsibility to protect the environment and to use its resources wisely," the Pope noted. "I join you in drawing the global community's attention to the importance of respecting nature as a common good destined for the enjoyment of the whole human family."
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