ASIA/HONG KONG - Pastoral care in preparation for the sacrament of marriage helps prevent separation and divorce

Wednesday, 14 December 2005

Hong Kong (Fides Service) - “If couples preparing for married life learn to solve disagreements with maturity a number of serious problems can be avoided and the relationship would be consolidated” said Bishop Joseph Zen, bishop of Hong Kong and chairman of the diocesan Council for Formation for Christian Marriage CFCM who stressed the importance of proper pastoral care for young couples preparing for married life. According to Hong Kong diocesan bulletin Kong Ko Bao during a recent CFCM meeting Bishop Zen called for greater effort on the part of Catholic communities, parishes, religious institutes to help young people prepare for life together and so help to prevent separation and divorce ever more frequent today: “the marriage crisis is so widespread that we must face it” the Bishop said. Fifty priests and religious and lay people took part in the CFCM meeting electing the first executive council. According to diocesan statistics, over 700 couples attended pre-marriage courses in 2004. Between April and December 2004 7,600 Catholics took part in CFCM pre-marriage initiatives. In 2003 and 2004 CFCM members helped to solve 745 marriage crisis and the figure rose to 813 in 2004 and 2005. (Agenzia Fides 14/12/2005 Righe: 24 Parole: 222)


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