Married couples have been enjoined to ensure they take positive steps in resolving challenges that may be confronting their unions, in order to build and promote good families and values in society. The charge was given by Very Rev. Msgr. Philip Hoteyin, Chaplain PMAC, while speaking at the annual conference of the Provincial Marriage Advisory Care (PMAC), Catholic Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos, themed, “Challenges confronting Christian families in contemporary times”, held recently at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos.
Msgr. Hoteyin noted that like fine wine, marriages can always get better, stating that none is perfect, as he urged married people to make deliberate efforts to work on issues in their marriages until the last day. He categorised marriage as good, bad and ugly, adding that marriage is actually good and bad from the instance of the union of the first man and woman, Adam and Eve. “Marriage is ‘Until death do us part’. They don’t want to use it anymore, but that is the truth. That’s what it is. So, the ugly, the good, whatever goes on with it, it is until the end. But always make it better”, he said.
He asked the PMAC members to ensure they refresh, and get all the knowledge from the resource persons on relevant issues to pass on to couples. Speaking on sociocultural factors, modernisation and technological advancement of the times, Rev. Fr. Marcelinus Teko noted that these have posed challenges to Christianity and families. He noted that the issue of secularisation and spread of anti-christian cultures which are outrightly against the values that the Christian faith hold in high esteem come from within an outside the society. Fr. Teko stated that the family, especially from the Christian perspective is about love and commitment, about sacrifice and compromise among other values which are currently threatened by secularism.
He said environmental influence, including poor waste management, environment degradation and human activities have influenced negatively on the family. Rev. Fr. David-Mary Odunsi of Ijebu Ode Diocese listed proper placement of culture and tradition, raising the standards of the Christian faith, compatibility and adequate preparation for marriage, deepening of marriage and family spirituality, intensifying the ministry of charity and hospitality as ways of addressing challenges confronting Christian families. Dr. Henrietta Williams and Rev. Fr. Joseph Ogodo took the people through the medical path, while Mrs. Bose Ironsi spoke on the social aspect. Fr. Matthew Ogunyase, moderator on the occasion advised PMAC members to establish facilitators’ library in each parish where members can get information.
For his part, Mr. Babatunde Oyafemi, PMAC President disclosed that this year marks the 30th anniversary of PMAC as an institution, as he commended the effort and dream of the founding father, the late Rev. Fr. John Burke, acknowledging the support of Anthony Cardinal Okogie, Emeritus Archbishop and his successor Most Rev. (Dr.) Alred Adewale Martins. He appreciated the steadfastness of members as they continue to scale the hurdles of post Covid situation, the hard economy and the tempting situations of the times.
