Children should ordinarily ask their parents advice about their choice of a state in life, but they are free to make their own decisions. Parents must not force their children in this matter, but encourage them to welcome the Lord s call, whether to marriage, the single life, priesthood or religious life. Adults continue to owe love and respect to their parents. If possible, grown children must help their needy parents materially and morally, especially in old age, illness or other difficulties. Parents must love their children, have them baptized, provide for their emotional, spiritual and physical needs, instruct them and give them a Christian education, train them by word and example in the practice of Christian virtue, and counsel and guide them in forming a correct moral conscience.
Parents can foster family unity by family prayer and by loving each other and their children.
If the civil law obliges citizens to violate the law of God, they must refuse to obey. The principal duties of citizens toward their country are to respect civil authority and obey just laws, that is, conscientiously fulfill all civil duties. Insofar as possible, Catholics must vote for people whose beliefs and programs are truly beneficial to everyone. Contents page Copyright 1999, Daughters of St. Paul. All Rights Reserved.