ASIA/HONG KONG - The role of the family and the education of young people for a happy Christian marriage

Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) - "The family and the formation of young people play an important role for the bride and groom who will be living the Christian married life": is the belief of Cardinal John Tong, Bishop of Hong Kong, President of The Hong Kong Catholic Marriage Advisory Council, who wanted to convey to the volunteers and to members gathered on November 16 for the 46th annual Assembly. According to the Kong Ko Bao (the Chinese version of the diocesan bulletin), Cardinal Tong stressed that "the formation of marriage can be said to begin at birth." The director of the Council informed that the diocese of Hong Kong will celebrate the Day of Marriage in February, to emphasize the value of Christian marriage. During the Assembly Fr. A. Deignan, a member of the Council pointed out that "pre-marital formation is not enough, permanent formation is necessary" since family life and Christian marriage is threatened on several fronts in today's society.
Last year the Council resolved 470 cases of marriage breakdown and received over a thousand calls on the "green line pro-marriage.". The Hong Kong Catholic Marriage Advisory Council was established in 1965 as an organization of volunteer service funded by the diocese and by the civil authority. Its purpose is to help couples live a happy marriage experience and support parents to fulfill their vocation. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 23/11/2012)