This is how the massive Un Paso por mi Familia walk was experienced in the Dominican Republic

The Malecón of Santo Domingo became the scene of a meeting that every year brings together thousands of families in the Dominican Republic, who once again participated with joy in the traditional walk “Un Paso por mi Familia” held last Sunday.

Under the motto “United in prayer for a better nation,” nearly 50,000 people, according to the organizers, walked from the Máximo Gómez intersection, along George Washington Avenue to the Eugenio María de Hostos Park, where the day ended with the Holy Mass.

“This event reflects the deep love and respect for the family, an essential value in our society,” said Bishop Francisco Ozoria Acosta, Archbishop of Santo Domingo, who presided over the Mass.

Accompanied by bishops, priests and representatives of apostolic movements, the prelate highlighted during his homily the importance of building a “kingdom of peace, justice and love” within the family.

“The family is that space where we build the kingdom of Jesus, the kingdom of peace, of justice, of love,” stated the archbishop, who also stressed that the Kingdom of Jesus is “a kingdom that is not of this world.”

Bishop Ozoria urged “to banish injustice, violence, and power struggles from us.” “The kingdom of Jesus is love, his new commandment is love and he wants us to love one another. But not a fictitious love, but one that is even capable of dying for the other,” he added.

The walk, which was also held simultaneously in several cities across the country, included moments of prayer, singing, and artistic presentations from several national Catholic music ministries.

“A family manifesto”

The event culminated with the reading of a manifesto in favor of the family by Fr. Mario de la Cruz, Episcopal Vicar of Family and Life Pastoral, and other speakers, which summarized the main concerns and demands of the Church and the civil society in defense of the family.

The document presented an emphatic call to the different sectors of the country to strengthen the family as the fundamental nucleus of society. Among the main points are:

1. Guarantee respect and protection of human life
   The defense of the right to life from conception to natural death was reiterated, in accordance with the Dominican Constitution in its article 37. “Respect for life is the first right that we must protect. Without life, there is no possible society,” indicates the text.

2. Help the most vulnerable families
   Government agencies were urged to provide food, medicine and greater opportunities to families in extreme poverty. “They cannot continue to be invisible to the authorities,” the speakers stressed.

3. Access to decent housing
   The manifesto calls for low-cost housing schemes and regulations that ensure fair rates on basic services such as gas, electricity, water and transport. These measures seek to guarantee that families can have a decent environment to develop.

4. Protection against violence

   The creation of Family Assistance Centers was requested to support victims of violence, especially women and children. “The Family House should be a refuge for those who face difficulties in coexistence and violence,” the document highlighted.

   

5. Employment guarantee for family support
   Both the State and the private sector must ensure sources of work that allow families to support themselves and educate their children. “Decent work is an indispensable tool to build a society of equity and solidarity,” he emphasized.

6. Comprehensive values-based sexuality education
   It was proposed to implement educational programs that promote healthy affectivity, based on ethical and moral values, both in schools and in families.

7. Rejection of policies that threaten life and family
   The manifesto denounced the lack of government support for the family and rejected ideologies that contravene its stability. “It is regrettable that current policies seem to abandon the family and threaten the values ​​that sustain us as a society,” it read.

8. Approval of a Penal Code that protects life and family
   Organizers urged lawmakers to enact a code that defends life and family. “It is unacceptable that particular interests continue to stop an essential law for our country,” they denounced.

9. Recognize the core value of family
   Finally, political parties and public authorities were reminded that the family is “the most important and valued institution in society” and that “attacking the family is going against themselves.”