Church needs to stand up for the family – AB Martin

Archbishop urges Church to promote family

The Church must not shy away from defending the family as a fundamental institution within society, a Dublin conference has been told.

Addressing delegates gathered at Clonliffe College, Dublin at the weekend, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said: “We need to keep that debate going, but we must do so in a way in which we build a wide, broad consensus about the family.

“Such a consensus in many ways still exists in Ireland. In Ireland the family is challenged, but the family is healthier than in many other countries.

“We should not be intimidated because we defend the value of the family,” Archbishop Martin said.

Calling on the Church and parishes to focus on how to build strong families, the archbishop said: “We need to focus on the fact that we have great families and that families bring joy and happiness to their members. We need to help the next generation to understand how the stable and loving family is a primary focus for their happiness and fulfilment.”