VANIMO (FIDES SERVICE) - In Vanimo diocese, Papua New Guinea, the 6th Diocesan Pastoral Council Meeting 10 and 11 January revised and approved a five year pastoral plan of which the main theme was The Family. More in detail the Council discussed methods of approach. The first step will be to form Awareness-building Groups to carry out Missions in every parish during 2003 in preparation for the Year of the Family 2004. Following the year dedicated to the Family there will be Children's Year 2005, Youth Year 2006, Year of the Couple 2007 and finally the Year of the Eucharistic Congress 2008. In keeping with indications from the Bishops' Conference, Vanimo diocese will promote associations, Single for Christ and Couple for Christ as well as reflection on traditional marriage and Christian marriage (origin, values, differences) to help married couples see that Jesus Christ is the Lord of the Christian family. In fact 98% of those who say they are Catholics do not marry with a Sacramental wedding. Most couples still use the traditional rite, postponing the wedding in church until two or three years later. SL (Fides Service 18/2/2003 EM lines 24 Words: 314)