We have gone "from one extreme to another," from "authoritarianism" and, in some cases, "even oppression" by fathers-masters, who did not meet "the needs of personal growth" of their children, because they did not help them "to enter into their path with freedom," to today’s fathers. Now, the problem is rather their "absence" or "lack of action." The Pope said this at the General Audience, as he continued his catechesis on the family. Focusing on the fathers, he said, "sometimes they are so centered on themselves and on their work or on their personal accomplishments that they even forget the family. And so, they leave the small children and the young alone."
"Now, in this common journey of reflection on the family—said Francis—I would like to say to all the Christian communities that we must be more attentive: the absence of the paternal figure in the life of little ones and young people produces gaps and wounds, which can also be very grave. […] The sense of orphanhood that so many young people live is deeper than we think." The Pope called them "orphans in the family:" it seems that "fathers do not know well what place to occupy in the family and how to educate the children. And then, in doubt, they abstain, they withdraw and neglect their responsibility, perhaps taking refuge in an improbable relation of companionship with their children. However, while it is true that you must be a companion to your child, you must not forget that you are the father. However, if you only behave as a companion on an equal basis with your child, you will not do the him any good."
Likewise, even the civilian community with its institutions, according to the Pope, "has a certain responsibility—that we could call paternal—for the young, a responsibility that it sometimes neglects or does not accomplish well;" it often leaves them "orphans of values" and does not offer them a "truth of perspective." Some of you, the Pope added in closing, "might say to me: 'But Father, today you were too negative. You only talked about the absence of fathers, about what happens when fathers are not close to their children… That’s true. I wanted to emphasize this, because next Wednesday I will continue this catechesis by highlighting the beauty of fatherhood. This is why I chose to start in the dark and then move to the light."
