Marriage

A good news story to end the week: one of the bishops has spoken fervently in favour of marriage! Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury - an old Manchester man, I'd just like to point out - addressed the congress at the end of National Marriage Week. I'm afraid it wasn't in my diary, but no matter: was it in yours?

You'll like this. Not a lot, but you'll like it.

“Yet, despite all the benefits which marriage offers for the well-being of children and society, that our leaders in public life might be reluctant to speak up for marriage tells us something of the state we are in.

“And so we need to remind ourselves of what the Second Vatican Council taught half a century ago, which stands for us today: ‘The wellbeing of the individual person and of both human and Christian society is closely bound up with the healthy state of marriage and family life’.”

He continued: “We have to confess that the situation within the Catholic community often differs little from these disturbing patterns within society as a whole. The good news of marriage has not always been heard or received even amongst us. The substitution of ‘partnerships’ which are not from their foundation faithful, lasting or open to the procreation and education can never replace the plan of God himself.”

Never! How very categorical. Bloomin' well done, Bishop Mark!

Speaking of marriage, I'm off now to attend to my own. Life's not all about blogs you know!