Church 'not doing enough' to strengthen marriage

A Dutch theology and marriage expert yesterday told a conference that the Church in Malta is not doing enough to contribute to stronger marriages.

Speaking at a conference on the future of marriage and the family organised by Proġettimpenn, Aldegonde Brennickmeiher said the Church should channel more energy into helping married couples strengthen their bond as the absence of a divorce law was not enough to keep separation at bay.

She said people were not currently prepared for the demands of marriage. "Marriage is not sailing into a safe harbour but leaving that safe place and sailing out into a storm," she said.

In the first 10 years, couples would be too taken up by their careers and their children to focus more deeply on their marriage. Couples constantly had to search and work towards keeping their marriage fresh, she said.

However, working on keeping a marriage safe and strong paid off - not only for the couple but also for society. Studies have shown that married couples live longer, earn more money and have a higher standard of living when compared with single, divorced people or cohabiting couples, she said.

Theologian Emmanuel Agius, who also spoke during the conference, linked the set goals listed in the Lisbon Agenda with the concept of solidarity.

Fr Agius said the breakdown of families would lead to a social breakdown and that the Church should also offer assistance to these couples.

He also lamented the low take-up of the newly introduced Masters degree in Family Ministry at the Faculty of Theology after only 10 people applied.

Fr Aguis said more people were needed from different professions so that they could be involved in the Ecclesiastical Tribunal.