Christians have to build a new culture with respect to marriage - bishops

Christians have this year been faced with a mission to build a new culture with respect to marriage, Archbishop Paul Cremona and Gozo bishop Mario Grech said in their pastoral letter for lent.

The bishops said that this year, the current discussion on the subject of divorce helped one realise to what extent this eroded everlasting marriage and to question this culture.

“Probably we are not even aware to what extent this has changed, and that in so doing, it has served as a deterrent to those who wish to marry and persevere in their marriage.

“We need to consider this year as a sign of God’s providence, because, as Christians, we are faced with a great mission.

“We cannot put our minds at rest where the culture of marriage is concerned: we have been given a mission to build a new culture with respect to marriage.

“The Christian does not fear the lack of values in culture, just as the first Christians did not fear it either. We are challenged to fill this void with values inspired by the Word of God,” they said.

The bishops said that God has a plan for marriage and the family.

“This is the greatest gift which God gave to mankind.

“This plan bears takes into consideration the dignity of every person, man and woman, which does not stem from culture but stems from the fact that they were created equal in the image of God.

“This is God’s gift of the woman to the man and the man to the woman; the attraction which he instilled in the human being and which is transformed into an enduring love - becoming one body.

“God planned this in order that new beings would be born and raised within an atmosphere of love and stability. All the elements of this plan are so closely connected that when a marriage breaks down, all the benefits of this plan are lost.

“According to this plan of God, an option which favours marriage and the family is an option in favour of mankind. Marriage breakdown statistics show that, in reality, although couples undergo much suffering, children are those who suffer the most."

The bishops’ letter in full can be read in Maltese or English in the pdf links below.

www.maltadiocese.org