Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church (BOR) emphasized on Tuesday that the Church has a responsibility to support and strengthen the Christian family.

'In this society, marked by a host of changes and challenges such as migration and professional mobility, rapid secularisation and a lack of knowledge of Christian values, the excessive influence of technology and the digital environment on the human psyche to the detriment of relationships of communion between people, it is becoming increasingly necessary and a priority to deepen the vocation and mission of the Christian family in the life of the Church and society. In this regard, rediscovering and drawing on the Orthodox Tradition concerning the family as an icon of God's love for humanity and as an earthly environment in which to prepare for holiness and participation in eternal life in heaven (cf. John 11:25) is an essential and necessary undertaking,' the Patriarch said in a message to the opening session of the international theology symposium 'The Christian Family: Light and Witness in the Contemporary World,' taking place in Bucharest October 5 - 8.

The Patriarch noted that, 'unfortunately, we are witnessing today a spiritual crisis of the institution of the family, manifested in the rising number of divorces, the weakening of bonds between generations and the diminishing role of the family in the religious education of children.'

'Many families face economic, social and spiritual difficulties that can affect their cohesion and stability. Therefore, the Church is called upon to intensify, as a matter of priority, its pastoral efforts to strengthen the Christian family, develop counselling and support programmes for families facing difficulties, provide appropriate religious education for children and promote the values of the Christian family as a witness,' His Beatitude Daniel said.

According to the Patriarch, the Romanian Orthodox Church will continue and intensify its activities to support families.

'Through family counselling centres, marriage preparation programmes and social assistance initiatives, the Romanian Patriarchate will continue to provide concrete support for strengthening Christian families,' the head of the Romanian Orthodox Church said.

Currently, the Romanian Patriarchate operates 68 social assistance offices, 148 day centres for children, 61 residential centres for children, 108 information, counselling, support and community centres, 23 protected housing units, 19 emergency centres, as well as many other women's organisations, including at parish level, all dedicated to supporting Christian families and promoting Christian family values. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Popescu; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)