Now that divorce has become legal, it’s time for the state to offer marriage preparation courses to those couples who marry outside the Church.

In Italy, such courses are organised by the local councils. They consist of four or five meetings on the legal, social and relational aspects of marriage – relations between husband and wife, between parents and children, rights and duties in marriage, family economics, social role of the couples and sexuality.

I know that such courses are organised by local councils in many Italian cities, including Rome, Genoa, Venice, Trento, Bologna and Verona.

In small Malta they could be organised on a district level.

I am sure that the Cana Movement and any parish priests would be very willing to help or give advice regarding the organisation of such courses.