At a celebration held in Brussels on 19 October 2015, the Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe (FAFCE) received the EU Family Values Award by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

At a celebration held in Brussels on 19 October 2015, the Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe (FAFCE) was distinguished by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for its work in favour of the family in Europe. President Antoine Renard received the EU Family Values Award on behalf of FAFCE and Elder Patrick Kearon, President of the Europe Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, presided the event: he stated that FAFCE received the award “for its tireless work to make the family unit a priority in EU policy making”. He also highlighted that FAFCE “recognizes the importance of the family as a fundamental unit in society and we have been impressed by the commitment of its leaders to make sure this message would not be overlooked by EU officials and Members of the European Parliament”.

Family: the project of God

Among many guests, the event was attended by the Secretary General of COMECE, the representative of the Archbishop of Canterbury and by Members of the European Parliament. On receiving the award, Antoine Renard, said that he found it very encouraging for the work of FAFCE to bring a testimony on the beauty of the family and its importance for the wellbeing of the whole society before the European institutions and policy-makers: “Thank you for recognizing what we are doing. We defend family values but we also want to protect family virtues.” He then stressed the significance of the family: “We all know what we owe to our own families. It is a project of peace and a project of God”.

An award dedicated to Syrian families

President Renard, on behalf of FAFCE, dedicated the 2015 EU Family Values Award to the hundreds of thousands of Syrian families, parents and children who have been suffering greatly because of the war, the religious persecutions and throughout the migrant crisis. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) is part of the EU dialogue with Churches (article 17 of the EU Treaty) and is represented in Brussels by an EU Office since 2 September 2013. A video about the event is available clicking on this link.