This simple but intense message, was put into a framework which stated:

“It takes a man to be a father;
A woman to be a mother;
A married couple to build a family;
Families to make a village; and
A village to raise a child.”

Social situations world over during the past decade or two has forced a responsible Church to revisit the role of the family in society. Pope John Paul II in an Apostolic Exhortation – Familiaris Consortio – wrote, “The family finds in the plan of God the Creator and Redeemer, not only its identity, what it is, but also its mission.

“And since in God’s plan it has been established as intimate community of life and love, the family has the mission to become more and more what it is, that is to say, a community of life and love, in an effort that will find fulfillment, as will everything created and redeemed, in the Kingdom of God,” continued the encyclical.

The document went on to point out that it was necessary for Christians to go deeper into the unique riches of the family’s mission and probe its contents, which are both manifold and unified.

“The family has the mission to guard, reveal and communicate love, and this is a living reflection of a real sharing in God’s love for humanity and the love of Christ the Lord for the Church, His bride,” stated Pope John Paul II.

To give greater currency to the theme therefore, four general tasks need to be undertaken by the family:

• forming a community of persons;
• serving life;
• participating in the development of society; and
• sharing in the life and mission of the Church.