Anything that weakens and breaks up marriage and the family, such as cohabitation and divorce, even if it may appear to solve some difficulties for individuals, has serious and lasting consequences for the common good of our society, the Maltese Bishops said in a statement yesterday.

The experiences of other countries bear witness to this, they said.

Archbishop Paul Cremona, Gozo Bishop Mario Grech and Mgr Annetto Depas-quale said that during a meeting on Thursday they evaluated the discussion taking place in the country regarding marriage and the family.

The situation, which developed after the last general election, led the Bishops to make certain considerations.

They said that the Church, in her reflections about the human person, and strengthened by the word of God, believes that marriage and the family are of fundamental benefit for the individual and for society.

"The Christian community may and should give its contribution to this discussion because the human person is the way of the Church.

"For many years it was the Church alone that offerred formation and accompanied couples in their experience of marriage and the family. It was also the Church that helped those who encountered difficulties in their married life, as well as their children."

The Bishops said Christians and those who believe in the value of marriage and the family should commit themselves according to their responsibilities.

"We understand that in the kind of culture we are living in, this means that one has to go against the current. We hope that many will be those whose choice to give a contribution openly in favour of marriage and the family overcome the choice to remain silent because of the fear of criticism," they added.