The bishop of Elphin, Dr Christopher Jones, has said he believes most
politicians have no idea of the value of marriage to society.
Speaking at a Mass in Castlerea, Co Roscommon, he asked when anyone
“last heard of a politician or a Minister of Government speak of the
importance of marriage, of family life for parents, for children and for
the State.”
He claimed that children who grow up in homes where there is no love
or security invariably became dysfunctional adults and went on to cost
the State billions each year because of delinquency, drugs or crime.
Dr
Jones said we now lived in a society and culture “which ignores what is
best and beautiful in our marriages, families and communities and
celebrates instead film stars, soap stars, pop stars and football
stars.”
"We celebrate them even though the rewards they receive are obscene," he added.
"As I grow older, I become more convinced that people and most
politicians have no idea whatever of how important marriage is not only
for the married couple but for their children and ultimately for
society.”
Marriage, he claimed, was the bedrock of a strong and stable society
and when the institution of the family was supported and functioned
well, society got the benefit.
“Research today proves beyond doubt that
the family rooted in a loving marriage provides the best possible
environment for parents, children and society," he said.
Stressing that he was "not finger-wagging or making judgements” about
people who had children outside marriage, the bishop said that
nonetheless “all of us must support and promote the most important
institution in the State - family rooted marriage."
Dr Jones said he recognised relationships broke down “for unavoidable
reasons” and that lone parents made “heroic efforts to prepare their
children in love for life.”
And he said Irish bishops had become very
aware that marriage and married couples faced enormous challenges,
notably financial worries, work demands, pressure of time and “a culture
that separates sexual activity from commitment.”