Family Protection in Christian Ethnics and Canon Law

Family Protection in Christian Ethnics and Canon Law Presented by: Prof. Dr. Bielecki Date: 8 October 2023 Christian Ethics - Karol Wojtyła states that by this concept we understand those ethical truths that have been revealed by God and are given by the Church as principles of moral conduct. They are contained in the sources of revelation, i.e. in the Bible and Tradition, and as revealed in a supernatural way, they are the object of faith. - The Protestant doctrine also emphasizes the fact that ethics tries to keep its philosophy up-to-date, which is conditioned by the changing cultural and social reality. - Margaret Olubiyi emphasizes the need to identify ethical behavior with revelations included in the Holy Bible. A believing Christian takes into account the Church's social teaching and doctrinal indications in matters of faith in his daily life The Internal Law - The internal law of individual churches and religious associations is also regarded to be of a large level of diversity. - Some of the confessions hold organized collections of legal provisions. In the case of the Catholic Church, the term canon law is used to describe internal law. - Internal norms adopted by individual churches and religious associations are largely based on their religious doctrine. The Principle Of Cooperation Between The State And The Church - Consideration on Christian teaching on the issues of family is related to the principle of cooperation between the state and the Church, which was articulated in social teaching and became a normative rule thanks to its acceptance by the secular legislator. - The interest of both entities in "social problems" results from the fact that, as it is emphasized in Constitution Gaudium et spes, n. 76, "[...] despite the different title, they serve the individual and social vocation of the same people. The better they will develop a proper cooperation among themselves, the more effectively they will carry out this service for the good of all, also taking into account the conditions of time and place. The doctrine points out that no specific rules of cooperation have been formulated in this passage, but both entities are left with the possibility of adapting their activities to the current conditions. - The principle of cooperation between churches and other religious entities became a systemic principle after passing the current Constitution of the Republic of Poland in 1997 (Art. 25(3)). - Previously, these issues were regulated by laws defining relations between the state and the Church as well as the Concordat concluded between the Republic of Poland and the Holy See - In Poland, the assumptions adopted in the legal act " Demographic Strategy 2040" should be taken into consideration. In order to achieve success in the field of demography, the authors of the document emphasize the need for cooperation, participation and communication between institutions representing the authorities and other partners working for demographic and family development. - Among these entities, the act distinguishes, for instance: representatives of associations and non-governmental organizations, social and economic partners, the academic community, private entities as well as churches and religious associations. Protection Of The Family And Its Individual Members In The Teaching Of Christian Churches - The Catholic Church supports the traditional family model based on the institution of marriage between a man and a woman. - The family should be provided with appropriate support of the state in material and spiritual matters in order to properly meet its needs. - The teaching of the popes of the Catholic Church is full of statements concerning the institution of a family and its rights. - The priority of the family and the rights of parents in the upbringing process of their own children are also a significant insight in the teaching of non-Catholic Christian churches - The holiness, indissolubility and divine origin of marriage are also emphasized in Orthodoxy based on the biblical tradition Conclusions - The family as the basic social unit is the point of interest of both, the state as well as individual churches and religious associations. The attitudes of young people, which are later used in adult life, are formed within the family. Particular responsibility is on parents who implement the right and duty to bring up their children - Christian churches support the traditional family model based on the institution of marriage between a man and a woman. - The family is more important than the state, thus the institution of marriage should not be restricted for those who are likely to have disabled children. - The institution of a family is based on marriage of a man and a woman which is permanent, voluntary, public, and open to procreation. - The family is a natural and primary relationship in relation to both the state and to other communities, having its own and indisputable rights.