The head of Europe’s Federation of Catholic Family Associations has accused the European Union of ignoring “disastrous” population trends, and warned of a “demographic winter” unless urgent action is taken.
“Today’s individualistic civilisation is leading to catastrophe – yet there’s still ideological resistance to the very idea of families,” said Antoine Renard, president of the Brussels-based FAFCE, which groups organisations from 19 countries, and promotes family interests on the basis of Catholic Social Teaching.
“Survey evidence shows young people want lasting relationships and children. But they’re not starting families because they don’t feel safe to.”
The French Catholic spoke after the federation appealed to EU governments to begin “putting the family at the centre of national policies”. In an interview with The Tablet, he said average EU birth rates had fallen to 1.5 per cent, well below replacement levels, while a million abortions were conducted annually across the continent amid declining fertility. However, he added that there had been “absolutely no reaction” when FAFCE raised demographic issues with government ministers, and said he had been assured by EU officials that immigration would resolve population decline.
“Of course, we need immigration – but we can’t just see it as an economic question and ignore its social and cultural consequences,” Mr Renard said. “Unless we continue raising children and provide incentives for young people to have them, our own families will simply disappear.”
In its appeal, the federation said that Europe’s demographic crisis needed urgent action “for the future of our children”, but was being sidelined despite past European Parliament resolutions and international human rights commitments.
“FAFCE calls on leaders of the EU and its member states to raise awareness about this demographic winter,” the federation added, “and to implement a policy that recognises the unique, fundamental and irreplaceable position of the family in society”.
The appeal is the latest by church organisations in Europe to warn of the implications of declining family life. In his interview, Mr Renard said data forecasts showed 85 per cent of Italians would have “no experience of brothers, sisters or cousins” by 2050.
He added that FAFCE’s campaign had received “strong support” from the Pope, who received federation members in June 2017, and would be taken to the World Meeting of Families in Dublin in August, which Francis is expected to attend.
“When we meet EU and government officials, it’s clear they understand we wield considerable influence on the solid basis of the Church’s teaching,” the FAFCE president told The Tablet.
“Although they won’t accept the whole Catholic position, I think we achieve more by being clear about our Catholic background,” he said.
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