The positive side of marriage

Proġett Impenn, which promotes marriage values will be holding a week of activities to highlight the positive side of married life as the country steps up a gear in the debate over the introduction of divorce.

“Couples need to rediscover one another in this world when there is so much going on around them... This week of activities will focus on the positive side of marriage. It’s fair enough, no?” said Rita Borg Xuereb, who chairs Proġett Impenn, when asked whether divorce would be discussed during the event between Monday and February 13.

Cana Movement director Fr Joseph Mizzi added that, throughout the week of activities, couples would be encouraged to reflect on their relationship and question whether they could do anything to improve their contribution.

He pointed out that marriage problems always existed and would always be around. The solution was to work on enriching relationships.

Cana offered support for couples before and throughout marriage. Support and therapy was also offered to couples going through marital problems.

Last year, Cana counsellors and psychologists conducted 794 counselling sessions for a total of over 3,600 hours.

Fr Mizzi referred to recent statistics showing Church marriages were on the increase. According to the figures obtained from the Marriage Registry, Church marriages last year hit a record high since 2001, with 1,536 being registered while the number of civil unions stood at 723, remaining consistent over the past three years.

Youth representative Anthony Mifsud said young people were yearning to speak about the positive aspects of marriage.

“Young people are bombarded by messages about financial difficulties and marriage breakdowns. They want to hear the positive side,” he said.

Proġett Impenn was set up three years ago by the Cana Movement, Caritas Malta and the Diocesan Commission for the Family.

Activities to mark marriage week will include a conference on the Family In Today’s Europe at the Phoenicia Hotel ballroom in Floriana on Monday from 6.30 to 8.30 p.m.

A seminar for young people, themed Family – Diversity, Effort Or Sacrifice? will be held at the Communications Centre in Birkirkara next Saturday between 9 a.m. and 1.30 p.m.

The following day Mass will be said at 9 a.m. to celebrate Marriage Day. Later that day, at 6.30 p.m., Archbishop Paul Cremona will meet couples planning to get married during Mass at St John’s Co-Cathedral, in Valletta.