“A society with a greedy generation, that doesn’t want to surround itself with children, that considers them above all worrisome, a weight, a risk, is a depressed society.”For background, read Media Ignore Pope on Birth Control and 'Gay Marriage' and also read Pope Decries Abortion, Again; Media Ignore Him as well as Pope Blasts Liberal 'christians' as Pagans
-- Pope Francis I
In addition, read Vatican Says Media Distort Pope's Words
-- From "Hip Pope declares couples who don’t want kids ‘selfish,’ says they are part of a ‘greedy generation’" by Josh Visser, National Post 2/12/15
Pope Francis, who presumably has not been woken up at 4 a.m. on a workday by the howls of a tiny human who wants to be fed and/or changed, says that couples who don’t want to have kids are “selfish” and are part of a “greedy generation.”
Pope Francis told an audience in St Peter’s Square, Rome Wednesday that it’s a depressed society that considers children to be a burden.
“The choice to not have children is selfish. Life rejuvenates and acquires energy when it multiplies: It is enriched, not impoverished.”
Pope Francis said there was a strong correlation between hope in society and “inter-generational harmony.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Pope Francis: not having children is selfish" by Stephanie Kirchgaessner, UK Guardian 2/11/15
The remarks echoed his earlier comments on the topic of childlessness. Last year, he warned against the lure of a “culture of wellbeing” that can come when a couple does not have children and has the money and freedom to take nice holidays and buy a second home in the countryside.
“It might be better, more comfortable, to have a dog, two cats, and the love goes to the two cats and the dog,” he said. “Is this true or is this not? Have you seen it? Then, in the end, this marriage comes to old age in solitude, with the bitterness of loneliness.”
“The joy of children makes their parents hearts throb and reopens the future,” he said. “Children are not a problem of reproductive biology, or one of many ways to realize oneself in life. Let alone their parent’s possession. Children are a gift. Do you understand? Children are a gift,” he added.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Life is enriched with the birth of children, pope says at audience" by Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service 2/11/15
"The generation of children must be responsible," as Blessed Paul VI wrote in his encyclical "Humanae Vitae," the pope said. "But having more children cannot be looked upon automatically as an irresponsible choice. What is more, not having children is a selfish choice."
Continuing a series of talks about the family, Pope Francis said birthrates are a clear indication of the optimism and hope of a couple and of the society in which they live.
A society that pressures people not to have children, "that considers them a concern, a burden, a risk, is a society that is depressed," he said, pointing particularly to European countries with declining populations because of their low birthrates.
Departing from his prepared text, Pope Francis told the estimated 11,000 people in St. Peter's Square that he was one of five children. "I remember my mom would say, 'I have five children. Who's my favorite? I have five children like I have five fingers. If you slam this one, it hurts. If you slam that one, it hurts. All five would hurt. All are mine, but they are all different like the fingers on my hand.'"
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Pope calls not having kids a 'selfish choice'" by Joshua J. McElwee, National Catholic Reporter 2/11/15
Nearly one month after suggesting Catholics may have a moral obligation to limit the number of their children, Pope Francis has said that families that choose not to have kids are being selfish.
"Let's think of many societies that we know here in Europe," said the pope. "They are depressed societies because they do not want children, they do not have children. The level of birth does not arrive at one percent."
Francis also reemphasized the duty of children to honor their parents, saying that the Fourth Commandment "contains something sacred, something divine, something that is at the root of every other type of respect between men."
"A society of children that does not honor their parents is a society without honor," said Francis. "Who you do not honor parents you lose your honor."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Pope Francis: ‘The Choice to Not Have Children is Selfish’" by Michael W. Chapman, CNSNews.com 2/12/15
In many Western countries couples are not having enough children, at least 2.1 on average per family, to replace their existing populations. Italy’s current fertility rate is 1.42 children per woman; Germany, 1.43; Spain, 1.48; France 2.08; Switzerland, 1.54; and Britain, 1.90. The United States is on the line, with a fertility rate of 2.01 children on average per woman.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Pope Praises Big Families After Saying Catholics Don't Have to Breed 'Like Rabbits'" by The Associated Press 1/21/15
Francis reviewed his recent trip to Sri Lanka and the Philippines during his general audience Wednesday. During the trip, Francis strongly defended the church ban on artificial contraception, but also said Catholics needn't breed "like rabbits" and should practice "responsible parenthood" through church-approved birth control methods.
He said claims that big families cause poverty are "simplistic."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Read about the dropping birth rates in much of Europe and Russia.
Also read American Trend: Fewer Children, More Animals/Pets
Liberals beware: The Religious Procreate, Others Don't
