The growing secularism extending in the society, the negative influence of globalization on the family as a place of dialogue and solidarity between generations and as a social and religious institution, the big economic difficulties that affect many families, the plague of domestic violence of which women are often the victims, the threat to young people’s freedom of conscience, and the risk posed by the so-called “gender ideology” – these are the main issues that concern the Bishops of Nicaragua, who have spoken out in recent days with a long and articulated message dedicated to the family. Focusing on the reality of the country, the Bishops’ Conference —while stressing that the traditional family structure, with its role and values, remains at the base of the society— cannot but look with apprehension at increasingly insistent proposals in favor of “a false concept of marriage and of the family, contrary to the natural law, reason, ethics and morality.”
 
“Unfortunately the education received by young people does not help to counter such negative influences, and often parents feel helpless and disoriented as to the education of their children in regard to appropriate sexual experiences and the understanding of marriage and the family in the light of faith.” One of the biggest threats is represented by the so-called “gender ideology”, according to which each person can choose his sexual orientation, regardless of the differences stemming from human nature. This “has led to serious distortions and confusing terminology regarding marriage, sex and the family; ethically inacceptable homosexuality has been promoted, and attempts have been made —to the great detriment of social coexistence— to introduce laws that severely damage the dignity of marriage, the respect of the right to life that begins at the first moment of conception and the identity of the family.” At the same time, many parents and educators show concern that in some educational institutions, in the media and social networks “there are attempts to attract young people, by means of alcohol and entertainment, with the intention of indoctrinating and orienting them to a particular political ideology. Thus, one of the most sacred human rights, the freedom of conscience, is violated.” This manipulation of children and young people constitutes “a real problem and a social scandal.”
The Bishops also devote space to the economic crisis, which is amplified by “the increasingly alarming gap between the rich and the poor and the dramatic unemployment experienced by a large part of our population.” Many families are trying to get out of this state of affairs through the emigration of one of the spouses, often exposing themselves difficult and dangerous situations and, at worst, undermining the family’s unity and the emotional stability of the children. However, the family is undermined also by other internal and external plagues: domestic violence and the drug trade, which in some cases become “a means of family survival”; alcoholism is a widespread phenomenon that causes domestic violence, severe trauma to children, and family disunion. Moreover, human trafficking and increasing prostitution among adolescents and young people, as part of the so-called “sex tourism”, represent “a reprehensible fact and a real social sin”. The bishops also criticize the media for having “invaded all spaces, introducing themselves even into the privacy of the home”, with an effect that is not always positive, especially when “anti-values such as violence and marital infidelity are transmitted”. Therefore, in their pastoral exhortation, the Bishops call for families to be true “domestic churches”, where “life is accepted and defended, educated and promoted”, and true centers of the mission that spreads the truth of faith and the joy to believe in society. (from L‘Osservatore Romano, 01.09.2013)