In trying to face the serious crisis of the decline of marriage, it is apt to reflect on the wise words of the late Cardinal Basil Hume, Archbishop of Westminister, on the family: "It is a pity that most pastoral and professional attention is directed towards marriage in crisis.

"If we are concerned exclusively with the care of the sick, we may ignore the needs of the healthy and that is the quickest way to swell the ranks of the sick. Most marriages last and are happy, but all marriages could be better."

In the Cardinal's assessment, the Christian family is "too important to be left to chance". Indeed, as years of pastoral experience reveal "we cannot simply celebrate a wedding service and then leave couples to their own resources".

Surely, the Church and welfare agencies need to support and sustain families at every stage of their development, especially in the early years.

And, as Cardinal Hume insisted "when stress nevertheless develops, and breakdown occurs, the Church recognises and claims its proper role, namely that of healing without reproach.

"It is important always to be firm on principle, but compassionate towards individuals."