Crux

A British bishop has said that the demographic crisis in Europe has a spiritual dimension, as many people have lost hope in the future, following Pope Leo XIV’s recent comments that the EU’s rejection of Europe’s Christian roots had contributed to the decline in births. Speaking to Crux Now, Bishop Bosco MacDonald, the Lead Bishop for Marriage and Family Life within the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, reaffirmed that the demographic winter Europe, and much of the world, is experiencing was caused by deep-rooted issues. “Demographic decline is often a symptom of a deeper loss of confidence in the future. The Christian faith teaches that life is a gift. Every human person is willed, loved and called by God,” he said. “Children are not simply one more lifestyle choice among many others. They are one of the greatest blessings that we can receive. When a society loses that sense of life as a gift, it can begin to see children primarily in terms of cost, inconvenience or limitation,” he added. MacDonald acknowledged that there were economic pressures that also prevented people starting a family, but emphasized that “people are more likely to welcome the future when they have hope.” “Economic pressures are real: housing is expensive, work can be uncertain, and many young couples face genuine difficulties. But there is also a spiritual dimension which is too often ignored. People are more likely to welcome the future when they have hope,” he said. The full interview is below. Crux Now: Pope Leo XIV recently said that the EU’s rejection of the Christian foundations of Europe has led to a “drastic sterility.” Why do you think turning away from Christianity would lead to a demographic crisis? MacDonald: I think Pope Leo is pointing to something that goes further than birth rates. Demographic decline is often a symptom of a deeper loss of confidence in the future. The Christian faith teaches that life is a gift. Every human person is willed, loved and called by God. Children are not simply one more lifestyle choice among many others. They are one of the greatest blessings that we can receive. When a society loses that sense of life as a gift, it can begin to see children primarily in terms of cost, inconvenience or limitation. Economic pressures are real: Housing is expensive, work can be uncertain, and many young couples face genuine difficulties. But there is also a spiritual dimension which is too often ignored. People are more likely to welcome the future when they have hope. The Jubilee Year of Hope last year has reminded us again that hope is one of God’s greatest gifts. When hope weakens, people naturally become more hesitant about making lifelong commitments and bringing new life into the world. What are the major challenges facing a culture that welcomes life in Europe? Young adults tell me that they would like marriage and family life, but they are anxious about the future. They worry about housing and financial security and whether they can provide for children. Alongside those practical concerns, there is a wider cultural challenge. We live in a society that often celebrates freedom from commitment more readily than commitment itself. And yet most people still long for lasting love, stable relationships and a sense of belonging. I think that one of the deeper issues is loneliness. We have become more connected technologically while often becoming more isolated personally. Families flourish when they are supported by wider networks of friendship, neighbourhood and community. Rebuilding and encouraging those bonds is one of the great tasks facing Europe today. In your experience, what is the best way to convince people that marriage and family life are worthwhile things to aspire to? I think people are probably not persuaded by arguments alone. They are persuaded by what they see and by lived experience. The most convincing case for marriage is a happy married couple. Not a perfect idealised couple, because such people do not exist, but a couple who have come through difficulties together and whose love has deepened over time. I remember speaking recently with a couple celebrating their sixtieth wedding anniversary. They spoke very honestly about the challenges they had faced over the years, but what struck me most was the affection with which they still looked at each other. That witness said more than any programme or campaign ever could. I can think of many couples in our parishes who have raised children, cared for ageing parents, supported one another through illness and disappointment, and still clearly delight in one another’s company. Young people need to encounter families like this who are living examples of love, faithfulness and joy. Pope Leo XIV called for a “fresh springtide for the family.” How could that be brought about? Springtime begins with renewal and growth. We need to help families feel that they are not facing life’s challenges alone. The Church has an important role in creating and sustaining communities where people know and support one another. Parents need encouragement. Grandparents need to be valued. Children need to experience a wider family of faith around them. We can also do a lot by speaking positively about marriage and family life. There are certainly sacrifices involved, but there is also immense joy. Some of the happiest people I know are those whose lives revolve around their spouses, children and grandchildren. Their lives may be busy and demanding, but they are rich in the things that matter, like love and purpose. Have you seen the effects of the pandemic of loneliness throughout your ministry? If so, what does it look like? I’m not sure about a pandemic, but I have certainly seen and at times experienced loneliness in my ministry as a priest. Sometimes it is an older person who lives alone and may go many days without a meaningful conversation. Sometimes it is a young adult surrounded by people online but struggling to find genuine friendship. Sometimes it is a married person who feels isolated even within their own family, or a priest who spends his day surrounded by people but comes home to an empty house in the evening. As a priest and now as a bishop, I have often found that one of the greatest gifts we can offer is simply our presence. Many people are carrying burdens that nobody else knows about. The modern world offers extraordinary ways of communicating, but human beings still need what they have always needed: friendship, community and the experience of being known and loved. Do you think the Church has made mistakes when it comes to promoting the value of family life and marriage? The Church is always called to proclaim the truth with both clarity and compassion. St Paul urges us to speak the truth with love. At times we haven’t always communicated the beauty of marriage as effectively as we might. Christian marriage is not just a set of obligations and rules. It is firstly a calling, vocation and a path to holiness and a profound expression of self-giving love. People need to hear not only what the Church teaches but why she teaches it. Behind every teaching there is an inspiring vision of human flourishing, fidelity, generosity and lifelong love. Our task, perhaps, is to present that vision in a way that is both truthful and attractive. What has been the most satisfying part of your work with family life and marriage? There are many moments. It is always moving to celebrate a wedding and witness two people placing their future in God’s hands. It is a privilege to baptise their children and later see those same children receiving the sacraments. I have also seen couples come through very difficult periods and discover a deeper love on the other side. Those moments remind me of the remarkable capacity of people to forgive, to begin again and to grow through adversity. As a priest, I would say that God’s grace is at work in all of that. Perhaps what gives me greatest hope is seeing ordinary families just getting on with living their faith day by day. They are caring for one another, making sacrifices for one another and passing on faith to the next generation. These families do not attract headlines, but they are helping us to build a stronger Church and a stronger society.

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