Background to the Organisation

Laws can make decent living for the young more difficult or less difficult and a change in the law can deceive people into thinking that the morality has changed also. By means of the law it is possible to supply conditions which facilitate the growth of goodness and to remove conditions which obstruct it.

In view of all this, it is not surprising that when Pope John Paul II urged families to remedy the present situation, he mentioned political activity, the activity which brings about changes in laws and regulations. “Families should grow in awareness of being ‘protagonists’ of what is known as ‘family politics’ and assume responsibility for transforming society…” “They should be the first to take steps to see that the laws and institutions of the state, not only do not offend, but support and positively defend the rights and duties of the family…otherwise, families will be the first victims of the evils that they have done no more than note with indifference.”

Christianity or Secularism

What we must face up to is that the structures and institutions of our society must draw their inspiration either from Christianity, or from the ‘religion’ of secularism; there is no middle way, no neutral path that can be followed.

What Are Concerned Irish Parents To Do?

Fortunately, we are not without advice, indeed directives, coming from the highest sources. Firstly, people, lay and religious, must get rid of their inhibitions about what is popularly called ‘lobbying’. In his final address in Ireland in 1979, Pope John Paul II said “May the Irish people always support marriage through personal commitment and through positive social and legal action”.

When the pope says ‘positive social and legal action’ he means, amongst other things, lobbying for good laws and regulations and to change bad ones. Lobbying is part and parcel of the working democracy everywhere. To neglect it would mean allowing our opponents complete freedom for their destructive activity in this area.

Archbishop McNamara set out the position clearly for Catholics in April 1986 when he stated: “It may happen even in a predominantly Catholic country that a legislative assembly will pass and immoral law. The duty of Catholics with regard to such laws is clear. They should make their disapproval known and try to ensure that sooner or later, the laws in question be rescinded”. He adds: “…it cannot be stressed too much that it is not enough to campaign against immoral laws. Action must be taken with a view to changing society for the better, so that no reasonable excuse will remain for advocating such a measure”.

So the directive to Christians in Ireland is clear; ensure, by all the legitimate means at our disposal, that our laws are such that they will genuinely promote the common good for our society.

We can do this individually or in association with others. Family Solidarity was established to stimulate Irish families to do what is right in these matters and to facilitate them by providing and organised structure. As the Rights of the Family Charter says…”Families should form associations with other families and institutions in order to protect their rights”. An increasing number of Irish families have found Family Solidarity helpful, and are joining.

The family has the most important function in the state. It is the primary, vital cell of society where human development takes place and it is the natural setting in which almost all our young people grow and develop.

As declared in Vatican II, “The family is the first school for social human virtues, which all societies need”. Virtues such as love, forgiveness, justice, truthfulness, respect for rights of others, concern for those in need, are rooted in family life.

When family life is undermined, society has many evils with which to contend.

Some of the new trends and ideologies that have developed in recent times tend to undermine the family unit based on marriage, not only in Ireland but throughout most of the world.

In 1983 Family Solidarity was founded by a number of concerned family people, to protect, to protect and promote family life. It was formally launched on 15th August, 1984. Since then, many branches have been established throughout the country.