Lithuanian families ask legislators to adopt family-friendly policies

Published: 2007-05-03

VILNIUS, Lithuania (CNS) -- Lithuanian families have urged legislators to adopt family-friendly policies. More than 4,000 people marched for the World Day of Life from Vilnius' Cathedral Square to Parliament, where they petitioned legislators to adopt a long-term strategy to protect the family. The April 29 march of families, which included babies in their strollers and elderly grandparents, was organized by the National Association of Families and Parents under the theme "Family Is the Cradle of Life." Catholics, Russian Orthodox and Pentecostals participated in the march. The Lithuanian bishops' conference released a statement in support of families and marriage April 28, and the day before Cardinal Audrys Backis of Vilnius spoke at a special conference marking the event. In their petition, the families urged the government "to guarantee the structure and authority of the family, by recognizing the rights only of a family as a natural community, which is formed by marriage and is open to life."

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