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A Nation's Suicide (Italian Bishops Lament Low Birthrate, Unemployment)
Zenit ^ | 5/27/2010

Posted on 05/27/2010 12:38:43 PM PDT by markomalley

ROME, MAY 27, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The president of Italy's episcopal conference says the two most important problems facing the nation are the "demographic winter" and unemployment.

Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, archbishop of Genoa, said this Tuesday when he opened the conference's plenary assembly.

He warned about a "slow demographic suicide to which Italy is headed."
 
More than 50% of Italian families today do not have children and among those that do, almost half have only one child, the rest have two. Only 5.1% of families have three or more children.
 
"Because of this, an urgent policy is needed that is oriented to children, which is geared henceforth to a balanced generational change-over," the prelate stressed.

He called for "innovation that can liberate the future of our society."
 
"The family based on that unalterable good that is marriage between one man and one woman must be defended and constantly preserved as a crucible of moral energy, determinant when it comes to giving perspectives of life to our present time," Cardinal Bagnasco affirmed.
 
For their part, the bishops assumed the commitment "in family ministry and in marriage preparation, to work to root even deeper the idea that children are gifts that multiply the credit to life and its tomorrow."
 
Better effort
 
The episcopal conference president said the other essential point for Italy is employment, which is "the resource, or better, the minimum quota of capital that society provides to every citizen, in particular to young people in search of their first job, so that they can be inserted in society and, finding meaning in what they do, feel useful as protagonists of growth and development."
 
The growing employment crisis is "a concern that causes anguish, and which brings us to appeal for more effort from all types of leaders of the country: politicians, businessmen, bankers and trade unions," stressed the prelate.

Cardinal Bagnasco urged the government and society to promote small and medium-sized industries, research and tourism, agriculture and craftsmanship, and to facilitate other means of economic stability.

He said it is important to "encourage the individuals who best express the qualities of the territory and can best absorb and re-motivate the creation of employment."

Abuse

The 67-year-old cardinal also considered the scandal caused by the sexual abuse of minors by the clergy. He encouraged the faithful "to live this time of trial in a Christian way," above all "in terms of an examination of conscience."

The prelate expressed gratitude to Benedict XVI, saying that he, "like Peter, has gone before us and carried the cross first."

The involvement of priests in this scandal causes "bitterness, if not anger" the cardinal acknowledged, because of "betrayed hopes." He expressed to the victims "all our grief, our profound remorse and cordial closeness [to you] for having suffered such a grave sin and odious crime."

The cardinal classified pedophilia as a "frightening sin" and lauded the Pope for his unbending attitude toward "every filth" in the Church and his support for "transparent decisions and a cleanup."

"From him the Church has learned and learns not to be afraid of the truth, even when it is painful and odious, not to silence it or cover it up," Cardinal Bagnasco said.

At the same time, he energetically criticized the hypocrisy of a culture that justifies and favors pornography and perversion, or covers "disgraceful choices of leisure and tourism."
 
"Without mentioning here the extreme postures of those in the West who would even like to give political dignity to the practice of pedophilia, it must be said that we are moving in a cultural and ethical contradiction" on this issue, he contended. "Today there is, undoubtedly, exasperation in the dimension of sexuality, which is distinguished by being monotonously obsessive and which cannot, in the long run, fail to produce undesired effects in persons' attitudes, in particular those who are psychologically more fragile and vulnerable."



TOPICS: Catholic
KEYWORDS: americaalone; bagnasco; contraception; cultureofdeath; demographics; eurabia; eurosocialism; italy; populationcontrol
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1 posted on 05/27/2010 12:38:44 PM PDT by markomalley
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To: markomalley

Italy is so infested with communists it’s sick. I can’t imagine wanting to do business there if I was anything other than a fashionista or shoemaker.


2 posted on 05/27/2010 12:41:24 PM PDT by domenad (In all things, in all ways, at all times, let honor guide me.)
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To: markomalley

All ‘Westernized’ Euro nations are like this. It is sad and scary. They are not reproducing at replacement rates, and Muslims are doubling the efforts.
Say hello to Sharia law, Europe.


3 posted on 05/27/2010 12:48:29 PM PDT by No_More_Harkin
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To: markomalley

So sad. Italians aren’t having kids...but the Muslims are. Bel Paese...STOP...or START.


4 posted on 05/27/2010 12:51:29 PM PDT by mancini
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To: markomalley

I see it around me all the time, people are so into themselves and their own needs and wants (mostly material), that aren’t willing to invest the time and love into children.


5 posted on 05/27/2010 12:59:03 PM PDT by tiki
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To: markomalley

Its really kind of shocking that Italians, of all people, have few children. This is the opposite of what I’d expected.


6 posted on 05/27/2010 1:00:56 PM PDT by rbg81 (DRAIN THE SWAMP!!)
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To: markomalley
In other words, Italy (Italians), better "Keep on fruckin" or they'll disappear as a population.

FMCDH(BITS)

7 posted on 05/27/2010 1:06:28 PM PDT by nothingnew (I fear for my Republic due to marxist influence in our government. Open eyes/see)
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To: rbg81
Why should it shock you? Italy has taxpayer funded abortions, and a culture of small homes (and men never leaving said home until they get married, which is getting rare), and a generous welfare state that has replaced the family support network. Coupled with the fact that the majority of Italians don't attend Church (Attendence figures are around 30%), and you should understand why Italian society is the way it is.
8 posted on 05/27/2010 1:06:50 PM PDT by Clemenza (Remember our Korean War Veterans)
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To: tiki
I see it around me all the time, people are so into themselves and their own needs and wants (mostly material), that aren’t willing to invest the time and love into children.

I freely admit that I'm into myself and my material wants and needs, which is why I've chosen not to have children.

9 posted on 05/27/2010 1:07:07 PM PDT by Abin Sur
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To: markomalley

Most western European countries have a low birthrate among their native citizens simply because it is too expensive to have children. This is a by-product of a Value Added Tax (VAT), which not so incidentally the 0bama regime is beginning to push for The US.


10 posted on 05/27/2010 1:11:13 PM PDT by The Sons of Liberty (The 0bama regime represents an "Clear and Present Danger" to the US - Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin)
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Comment #11 Removed by Moderator

To: markomalley

A 1.3 fertlity rate seen in Italy, Greece, and Spain means that each woman gives birth to 1.3 children ove their lifetime.

It als means that 100 grandparents will generate only 41 grandchildren.

Good bye socialism. Goodbye EU. Goodbye eurozone. Goodbye European civilization.

It is truly THE END.


12 posted on 05/27/2010 1:13:48 PM PDT by FormerACLUmember ("Subtlety is not going to win this fight": NJ Governor Chris Christie)
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To: rbg81
Hard to believe that the Irish and Italians don’t attend church.

Why should they? The State is their God and Socialism is their Religion. Why do they need God (outside of baptisms, weddings, and funerals)?

13 posted on 05/27/2010 1:16:30 PM PDT by markomalley (Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus)
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To: rbg81
Hard to believe that the Irish and Italians don’t attend church.

Actually, Italy has a long history of anti-clericalism and low attendance amongst the male population in many regions, which has been the case for centuries. What has changed is that the mass of the population (including women) have become secularized, not just in terms of church attendance, but in their cultural worldview.

Ireland is a different case, as, until recently, mass attendance and devotion was common throughout the population. These days, the only folks you see in many Dublin churches are Polish immigrants.

14 posted on 05/27/2010 1:16:52 PM PDT by Clemenza (Remember our Korean War Veterans)
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To: Abin Sur
A generation ago, when my wife and her parents and her eight siblings lived in Italy courtesy of the US Army, strangers would approach my mother-in-law on the street and bless her for having produced so many children

Italy sure has changed. Cradle to grave security tends to keep people in the cradle until they reach the grave. When there is little perceived need to individually produce the basics of life, the populace becomes infantilized and does not on the whole assume the responsibilities of adulthood - like a earning a living, producing children, and otherwise providing for their posterity.

Things decidedly do not work better if the wealth is spread around.

15 posted on 05/27/2010 1:20:45 PM PDT by p. henry
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To: markomalley

Well lets see, if you are a working family paying high taxes you cannot afford to have more than 2 kids. On the other hand, if you are a ward of the state you are given incentives to reproduce wildly. I wonder why the producers of society have decided to cut back on children? If Italy was serious, they would enact a $10,000 per child income tax deduction and offer every child a 2-year tuition voucher for successful completion of high school. Oh yea, this would mean Italy would have to cut back on subsidies to the poor. Replace Italy with America and you will understand my meaning.


16 posted on 05/27/2010 1:44:42 PM PDT by equalitybeforethelaw
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To: equalitybeforethelaw

You know France started a subsidy for extra kids a couple of years ago, right?


17 posted on 05/27/2010 1:46:43 PM PDT by markomalley (Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus)
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To: markomalley

When a nation reaches a particular economic plateau, which varies by nation, abruptly its birthrate drops to sustainability. That is, to between 2.1 and 2.3 children per family. There are many reasons it does so.

Government will invariably want to increase this birthrate, but cannot do so directly. But it can, and usually does, lower the birthrate even further with its actions. And the national culture likewise can do much to lower birthrate as well.

When a country is poor, there are marked advantages to having more than two children. Children both represent family wealth, and they provide for the retirement of the parents. The birthrate is pushed even higher because of high childhood mortality. There needs to be “extra” children to replace those that die.

But when a country reaches that economic plateau, children no longer increase family wealth, but decrease it, by there being more mouths to feed. With this level of prosperity likewise there is better nutrition, so it is more likely that children will survive as well. And there are other forms of wealth that parents can use for their retirement.

But once families only have about 2 or 3 children, the government and the culture weighs in that with increasing prosperity, that the lives of these children must be “better”. So children need to go to school, have proper clothing, material goods, etc. And indeed this does help the children to lead better lives.

However, it makes it harder, and more expensive, for parents to *raise* children. This acts as a disincentive to having more children, so drives the birthrate lower. And the more intrusive and demanding the government and culture are about children, the fewer people will want to have them.

So modern, developed nations can be rated by how intrusive their government and culture are, by looking at how low their birthrate has become. Anything below about 1.8 children per family means a nanny government. Japan and Germany are rock bottom.

Interestingly, only one nation, the United States, has ever reversed this falling birthrate to a great extent. This was during the post WWII “baby boom”, and there are very good reasons it took place.

To start with, a very large number of men and women had been kept apart because of the war, and were highly motivated to get married and have children as soon as they could get a home.

Right then, the first real suburb, Levittown, New York, was built, and created a model for suburbia throughout the booming western US, though using the “ranch house” style of home developed by Frank Lloyd Wright and others.

So quickly, the west became filled with boom towns, themselves filled with young couples. The men wanted jobs, with which they could afford a home and a family. Soon the suburbs were filled with growing families, and were entirely family oriented. Unless you were a young child or parents with young children, there was little to do.

In other words, boring. Women, as housewives, had very little to do but have and raise children. And they did.

Eventually, though, the demographics started to change, and the birthrate started to drop again. Only when the parents were at peak childbearing age, clustered together, and in a family friendly, but otherwise boring place, was the reversal possible.


18 posted on 05/27/2010 1:49:06 PM PDT by yefragetuwrabrumuy
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To: p. henry
...the populace becomes infantilized and does not on the whole assume the responsibilities of adulthood - like a earning a living, producing children, and otherwise providing for their posterity.

I would assert that someone who is a net tax payer rather than a net tax receiver while not producing children is assuming the responsibilities of adulthood. He or she is providing for themselves rather than relying on the largess of The State. Surely that is a quality of adulthood, rather than the ability to reproduce.

19 posted on 05/27/2010 1:50:12 PM PDT by Abin Sur
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To: The Sons of Liberty

“This is a by-product of a Value Added Tax (VAT)”

More accurately, it is a by-product of overly generous welfare states financed by VATs. If these nations didn’t spend so much, they wouldn’t need VAT in the first place. Of course, a VAT makes it way easier to gradually ratchet up rates without being noticed, so cause and effect actually run in both directions.


20 posted on 05/27/2010 1:56:49 PM PDT by DrC
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