Visit to Rome

VISIT TO ROME

Representing the Legion of Mary, Moira and Liam Hayden attended a meeting of the Plenery Assembly of the Pontifical Council of the Family in Rome on the 24th October 2013. The attendance of 200 was divided roughly 50% clergy, 50% married couples.

Many speakers gave their views among them Mgr. Jean Lafite spoke on the attacks being conducted on the family through the organs of media and government and the serious consequences this will have into the future. Hungary is a notable exception where a recent amendment to their constitution gave special protection to the family. Prof. Karl Anderson from the U.S.A. said that the Church needs to promulgate its truths in language easily understood by the public. The final address was given by Economist Stefano Zamagni who spoke on the need to train children to be productive members of society while enjoying the security of a loving, approving family.

They talked with many people from different parts of the world who were in praise of the Legion in their countries as were two Cardinals, H.E. Cardinal Luis Antonio G Tagle, Archbishop of Manila and H.E. Cardinal John Olorunfermi Onaiyekan, Archbishop of Abuja, Nigeria, whom they met.

Moira and Liam Hayden said they were most grateful to the Concilium for giving them the opportunity to attend this event which not only affirmed them in their own faith but allowed them to meet with other couples to whom Catholicism is at the centre of their lives. Síle Ní Chochláin, President of Concilium, thanked them for attending this meeting.

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