An example of this was the powerful address read to the gathering from Poland’s President Lech Kaczyński. The President (photo at right) explained that Poland’s entire history is a testimony to the importance and beauty of family life. The family, he said, is Poland’s foundation for culture, patriotism and her “ethical imperative” towards freedom and faith. He particularly honored the mothers of Poland who have so faithfully, sacrificially protected family life even when so many wars and other calamities took the fathers away from their homes, so often forever. And he spoke too of the brave resistance of Christians to the decades of Communist oppression that sought to diminish the influence of the family, the most persistent danger to the Communist intolerance for competing authorities. As one Cardinal dared to tell state officials, : “People are not made in factories. The are made and nurtured by families!”
President Kaczyński expressed how honored he and the Polish people were for the decision of the World Congress of Families to hold their fourth international conference here. It will, he explained, serve as a very big boost to their efforts to promote pro-family policies in their country and in Europe. Yet he also acknowledged his hope that the Congress would challenge all its participants to become bolder and more effective in the struggles in their own countries. For instance, he invited the assembly to become better in enrolling people from the arts and sciences in the pro-family movement – political activism alone isn’t enough to change culture; that must come from the ground up in order to be thorough and lasting.
Following the letter from President Kaczyński, there were several brief addresses by people like the President (mayor) of Warsaw and several representatives of the organizations that helped create the conference. Common themes of these presentations reflected the priorities of the pro-family movement: a spirited defense of marriage, opposition to abortion, and an encouragement of bearing children both as the answer to the “demographic winter” that threatens Europe’s future but also because, in themselves, children are wonderful, valuable and enriching beyond imagination! Other repeated themes were freedom of religion and speech, parental authority, educational excellence free of ideological propaganda, self-government, human rights, and protection of the young from exploitation and indecency.
One of the most moving talks of the opening ceremonies was given by Roman Giertych, the extremely controversial Deputy Prime Minister of Poland and its Minister of Education. Giertych (shown here at left) has raised the hackles of European leftists with his unapologetic and outspoken defense of Polish patriotism and of Catholic moral teachings. But, unlike many other conservatives operating in the public square, Giertych hasn’t backed away from the fight. Indeed, his message was extremely refreshing to Christian activists like Claire and I. For instance, he spoke boldly in defense of unborn children, saying that abortion is murder and murder, no matter what anybody says or does, is always an evil crime that should be "severely penalized.". Giertych alsoargued against the aggressiveness of the homosexual agenda, reminding the assembly that this represented sexual perversion that was both personally and culturally destructive.Certainly such convictions are hardly politically-correct but Giertych urged his hearers to orient themselves not to the media or public opinion polls but rather to the Decalogue. Christian statesmen and laymen alike must become ever more consistent in proclaiming truth in the face of the many lies inherent in modern culture. “Don’t let people shout you down!” he urged. It was a hearty exhortation he gave to the nearly 3,000 delegates of the Congress and the rousing reception he received at the end of his remarks confirmed that it was one which had been very well received.