Contact: Don Feder, Communications Director, Demographic Winter, 508-405-1337, dfeder@rcn.com

MEDIA ADVISORY, Dec. 30 /Christian Newswire/ -- Barry McLerran, producer of the documentary "Demographic Winter: the decline of the human family," said he was encouraged that the First European Catholic-Orthodox Forum chose to emphasize the coming crisis of declining birth rates.

"We hope this ecumenical recognition of what could be the most important issue confronting humanity in the 20th century will spark renewed interest in 'Demographic Winter,' the only documentary of its kind," McLerran said.

Meeting in Trent, Italy, December 10-14, 30 delegates from the Orthodox Churches, European Bishops Conference and the Vatican met to discuss their common concerns on family matters. Those attending the historic Forum included Russian Orthodox Bishop Hilarion Alfejev and Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo, Archbishop of Budapest and Primate of Hungary.

In their joint statement, "The Family: A Good for Humanity," the delegates observed that despite the current focus on the global economic crisis, "Another vital element of this turning point is the crisis in regard to the family."

The statement continues, "The demographic trends alone in Europe are clear signals of a crisis much greater than the financial one."

To put this in perspective, the Statement declares: "The family, born of marriage between man and woman, that gives rise to children and an extended network of relationships, needs to be rediscovered as valuable social capital. We appeal to political and social leaders to address this major issue before it is too late. Without this attention, lack of financial funds will pale before the lack of social and human resources that the family brings."

McLerran responded: "That's exactly the message of 'Demographic Winter.' While our approach emphasizes the social sciences - including the views of demographers, economists and sociologists - our conclusion is the same as that reached by these distinguished religious leaders."

A 4-minute trailer for "Demographic Winter" can be viewed at www.demographicwinter.com. For more information or to schedule an interview with a spokesman for "Demographic Winter," contact Communications Director Don Feder at 508-405-1337 or dfeder@rcn.com.