COMMENTARY: Time for Christians to Recognize Christian Values

Pope Benedict XVI was correct this week when he denounced the "disintegration" of family life in Europe.

The pope called on couples to make a commitment to marry and have children -- and not just live together -- in reaffirming traditional Catholic family values. He also voiced the Vatican's opposition to abortion.

The pope asserted these Catholic values last Sunday before some 300,000 people in Croatia -- an independent Balkan nation that is 90 percent Catholic, and a former province of Yugoslavia.

Of course, Pope Benedict's assertions on Christian living were directed not only to Croatia, but to all the nations of Europe. The fact is that Europe -- which has been a continent of predominantly Christian nations for nearly 2,000 years -- has become extremely secular during the past two decades or so.

Many Europeans no longer attend church on Sundays. In fact, there has been a significant growth in the number of atheists now pervading Europe.

Many thousands of former Catholics in Austria -- as well as other European nations -- have left the church altogether. Many did so because of the plethora of child abuse cases against Catholic priests, and the failure of the Catholic Church to take appropriate action to correct this problem.

There is also another important reason for the lack of Christian values by Catholics in Europe; namely, the emphasis that is now being placed on material possessions and a pleasure-oriented lifestyle.

Many Europeans -- and Americans can be included in this category -- have had as their ultimate goal in recent years possessing the best, the most expensive, and the most prestigious items possible. This includes everything from a home and motor vehicle to a boat, a second and even third home, and exclusive vacations around the world.

Sadly, as most Christians -- and not just Catholics -- have become mesmerized by materialism, they have completely neglected Christian values and God, who has provided them with everything they possess.

Indeed, this has become a sad turn of events for Christianity -- and one that must be quickly reversed, in order to save the virtue of humanity.