Madrid, Spain - At the Peace Embassy in Madrid, UPF-Spain held its fifth seminar on family moral values and family-related social problems. The May 23, 2009, event featured two lectures and a celebration of fidelity and large families.
Mr. Manuel Campillo, a businessman and UPF family counselor and educator, began by saying, “The secret of success in marriage is not in marrying the right person but investing the right heart and attitude in our relationship and making the commitment to do what is right." He described the principles that guide a harmonious marriage: divine love, forgiveness, patience, acceptance, sacrifice, altruism, understanding, and respect. "It doesn’t matter so much who we marry as long as both practice these principles that originate from our Creator God,” he added. "These principles are absolute and unchangeable."
There was an opportunity for questions and answers. A professor added comments about her own marriage, which she described as quite good at the moment.
A toast for peace was offered, with couples promising respect, fidelity, and harmony in the family and love and loyalty to God.
The topic of the second lecture was adoption rather than abortion. Mrs. Pilar Gutiérrez, a psychologist and president of the Association "Unidos por la Vida," talked about the emotional impact of abortion on women and her organization's work to find adoptive parents for unwanted babies.
Mr. Juan de Dios Cuevas de la Paz and his wife, Mrs. Deutasia Sepúlveda de Cuevas, were recognized for their 56 years together. Originally from the Dominican Republic and now living in Madrid, they have 12 children, 46 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. The Vice Consul of the Dominican Republic, Mr. Teodoro Reyes Torres, presented the couple with an award and expressed deep respect for them. Mr. Juan Fernández, President of the Dominican Republic Cultural Association, spoke some words in appreciation for this couple. Also present was Mr. Daniel Guerra, a Catholic priest and President of the Association Virgen de la Alta Gracia. He had worked for more than 30 years as missionary in the Dominican Republic and is now the priest of a large church in Madrid.
Mrs. Takiko Imoto del Monte prepared a cake for the couple, and the celebration ended with the musical duo "Imagine" from Ecuador. Alex and Marcelo sang four songs for the couple, and members of the audience danced to the music.
Armando Lozano Hernández, National Director of UPF-Spain, expressed his appreciation to the participants and the organizers. Over lunch people commented about the high-quality content of the presentations.