Couple walking their beagle dog in the autumn countryside. Photo courtesy of Halfpoint via Shutterstock
Posted on 06/02/2014 1:30:43 PM PDT by NYer
Couple walking their beagle dog in the autumn countryside. Photo courtesy of Halfpoint via Shutterstock
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis on Monday (June 2) warned married couples against substituting cats and dogs for children — a move that he said leads to the “bitterness of loneliness” in old age.
The pope made his comments as he celebrated daily Mass with 15 married couples in the chapel at the Santa Marta residence where he lives inside the Vatican.
He reminded the couples, whose marriages ranged from 25 to 60 years, of the need for faithfulness, perseverance and fertility in maintaining a Christian marriage.
But he went a step further and strongly criticized those couples who choose not to have children, saying they had been influenced by a culture of “well-being” that says life is better without kids.
“You can go explore the world, go on holiday, you can have a villa in the countryside, you can be carefree,” the pope said.
“It might be better — more comfortable — to have a dog, two cats, and the love goes to the two cats and the dog. Is this true or not? Have you seen it?
“Then, in the end this marriage comes to old age in solitude, with the bitterness of loneliness.“
The 77-year-old pontiff made his comments after recent figures confirmed a drop in birth rates in the U.S., Italy and elsewhere.
Figures released by Italy’s official statistics agency Istat last week showed the country’s birth rate hit a record low in 2013, with the birth of only 515,000 babies — a drop of 64,000 over the past five years — and a worrying trend as the population ages.
Last year, Time magazine provoked a national debate with a controversial issue entitled “The Childfree Life,” which also showed a dramatic fall in the U.S. birth rate and the role of personal choice.
“Married life must be persevering, because otherwise love cannot go forward. Perseverance in love, in good times and in difficult times, when there are problems: problems with the children, economic problems,” the pope said.
You too must have thought “you could have it all” right?
;-)
Nope, just never happened.
Thank you, trisham. Yes, some of us are sterile.
I believe he was saying this to a 'MARRIED' group of people. I believe the Bible states that you must 'multiply' when 'married' and you are 'only' supposed to have 'sex' for 'Procreation'. Being single for whatever reason and/or preferring your pets over some people...or most...is NOT a sin. It's natural.
Why would that piss you off? God gave us companion animals to take care of. You are their Guardian....and are like moms to them.
I truly believe our pets are Angels sent by God. So, I treat them as such and know I will see them in Heaven.
The tragedy is the 20-somethings who adopt this trend, dedicate themselves more to pets than potential partners, and will end up those future dog-ladies / cat-ladies.
Because they’re NOT our children, they’re our property. We have dominion over them and are accountable to God for how we treat them, but they’re not children. Which means their owners are not their parents. It’s just more “I can be one of those if I want to” inclusiveness that just bolsters the “touchy-feely” nature of today’s society. A little like (JUST a little) homosexuals saying they’re really married. You can call blue green, but that doesn’t make it green.
That’s why. Sorry, just touched one of my buttons yesterday. Didn’t mean to offend.
Exactly. What scares me is the person who has several children and then drowns them or sets fire to them. The world needs more foster parents. However, that is a very difficult role.
YOU are a great role model!
A brilliant summary!
I have a good Catholic friend who is a professional. She wanted to marry and have children but never found the right man. She has four siblings who have each had multiple offspring, so she has a horde of loving nieces and nephews. I’m happy for her.
As it should be.
I get to disagree with the Pope because I'm not Catholic. Children grow up, leave home, have jobs across the country. Pets prevent the "bitterness of loneliness" in old age.
So true.
He was talking about extreme Seige of Leningrad type survival situations, the kinds of things we hope never to face.
Yeah, better not go there.
Somebody has to carry on the tradition.
Yes, having children is not a guarantee against being alone in old age, by any means. It reminds me if the movie Gran Torino, where Clint Esstwoods character developers a relationship with the neighbors because his own children are so obnoxious. He also has an elderly dog.
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