AFM was invited to the Vatican after John Paul II made the important announcement that the protection of marriage would be the top priority for the Roman Catholic Church in 2005.  This latest trip to Rome builds on a series of trips that AFM has made over the past few years to carefully build relationships with Vatican leadership.

St. Peter's in Rome

In the first few days of discussions in Rome, AFM has met with several key cardinals who are interested in the pioneering work of our coalition. This has included Cardinal Re, the former Chief of Staff to John Paul II, who is now the President of the Congregation of Catholic Bishops -- with authority over the appointment of all Catholic bishops worldwide.

Cardinal Re thanked AFM for our work and praised us for our success -- both before and after the election -- in working to ensure that political leaders in the United States are making the protection of marriage a top priority.

AFM also met with Cardinal Martino, the official responsible for all issues of Social Justice at the Vatican.  Cardinal Martino is an old friend of AFM who, while serving as the head of the Vatican Mission to the United Nations, first suggested we pursue the process that led our coalition to attain Non-Governmental Observer (NGO) status at the UN last year.  Cardinal Martino typifies the global perspective of many in Vatican leadership.  He confirmed that the Vatican is keenly aware of the international significance of developments in the United States -- because the outcome of the debate over marriage in America will have an impact worldwide for future generations.

I will keep you updated on the progress of our meetings with Vatican officials as our strategic discussions continue in Rome.  In the meantime, please accept my deep gratitude for helping AFM to come so far in the short span of only a few years.

Thanks to your friendship and partnership in our cause, AFM is building a uniquely broad movement that is recognized -- beyond the borders of the United States -- for our positive impact on the debate over the future of marriage and the family.

 
Matt Daniels, J.D., Ph.D.
Founder and President

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